Philipsburg:--- Some eight hundred persons are yet to pick up their Brooks Tower Permits announced Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba at a press conference on Thursday. The Minister said if these persons do not pick up their permits by June 15 then the permits would expire on June 16th and the applicants would become undocumented again. Those persons whose permits are not picked up would also have to leave the island by August 31 or face deportation when caught by police. Persons whose applications were denied also have to leave the island by August 31 on their own account. Those persons that are caught by police and are deported would face a ban of three years said Jacoba.The Minister said that letters would be sent to the applicants who did not pick up their permits and those whose applications were denied informing them they have to leave the island.
Jacoba is urging all those persons who did not bother to pick up their permits to make contact at the Philipsburg Police Station. She said many of these persons did not pick up their permits either because they don't have the monies needed to purchase their medical insurances or to make the compulsory deposit at the Federal Receivers Office. Some of them she said also have problems obtaining passports from their country but her office have an agreement with the various consulates who would issue a letter confirming that they have applied for their passport.
Jacoba said that she is still busy discussing with stakeholders on St. Maarten to formulate the new policy that would allow the 5000 persons who were granted a BTA permit to apply for the regular permit. She said without this policy these persons would not meet the requirement to get a normal permit and as such she is working on a policy that would grant the BTA holders special conditions to receive a residency permit. This policy she said should be ready by July 1 and it would be applicable for at least three years before the holder's falls in the regular system.
Jacoba also confirmed that the BTA permits cannot be renewed after November 3 and those persons who do not make the efforts to apply for their regular permits prior to November 3 would automatically become undocumented.
Jacoba said she also held meetings with acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt whom she said would soon be responsible for handling immigration matters when St. Maarten and Curacao achieves it country status on 10/10/10. The Minister also said she also met with the incoming acting Lt. Governor Nilda Arduin Lynch who is yet to be sworn it. SMN News learnt that Arduin Lynch would be sworn in sometime this month since the island government is awaiting the Governor General to do the honors. Currently the governor general is in the Netherlands and St. Maarten's Lt. Governor is on vacation in the Netherlands.
Haitians Must also Leave
Members of the Haitian community who registered to remain on St. Maarten after the devastation of their country on January 12 also have to leave the island by December 31st the Minister said. She said currently her office is conducting an evaluation on the Haitians who registered but no new decision has been taken. "Right now the Haitians have to leave by December 31. Those that are caught will be deported" Jacoba said.
The Minister also informed members of the media that she was busy all week in discussions with the police and other stakeholders. Discussions she was about the Win Win Agreement which was extended until 10/10/10. Jacoba said they are also looking at a candidate that would fill the vacant position in the justice section. She said it is important that all vacant positions be filled in order to strengthen the police core. Already there is a new chief commissioner of police, and five assistance from the Netherlands. Already three of those persons have taken office but the next two she said will be on St. Maarten in July and August.
Court Ruling on Americans having Same Rights as Dutch
Jacoba said she held some intense discussions with several stakeholders and members of government to see how they would deal with the recent court verdict which gives the Americans the same rights as the Dutch.
The Minister said she also believes that this matter has to be discussed in The Hague since there is a treaty between the Americans and the Netherlands over 50 years ago. Another aspect that has to be considered is how the local governments intend to handle the situation since they are responsible for labor permits.
The Minister acknowledged that the current issue is rather sensitive but felt this matter has to have more discussions. She said there is more than one verdict on this matter and as such it cannot be ignored.
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