Philipsburg: --- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba in the presence of the island’s Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and leader of Government William Marlin issued the first two Brooks Tower permits on Wednesday. The two recipients Yles St. Come and Du Qun Wu were the first two persons in the Netherlands Antilles to receive their permits since the project launched some two weeks ago. St. Come has been residing on St. Maarten some 22 years now, while Wu 12 years.
Minister Jacoba told members of the media that some 910 persons applied for the Brooks Tower Permits and already the justice department has approved 36 of them. She made clear that the processing of the other applicants is still ongoing. Minister Jacoba also called on the undocumented residents to register for the Brooks Tower permit, which would enable them to regulate their status on the island. Jacoba said implementing the Brooks Tower Accord, which was signed in 2007, is the largest project she has executed in her life and that many persons felt that this was a trap and not a reality.
The Minister said by presenting these two permits in a symbolic way should encourage those persons that doubtful about the program to register. The Brooks Tower permits will be valid until November 3 2010. In the case of Wu, she said she was informed that the Chippie Café employee had approached other Ministers and commissioners in the hope of legalizing her status to no avail. Minister Jacoba said she was honored to be the one to grant Wu her documents, which would give her, the opportunity to travel back to her country of origin to obtain all the necessary documents to apply for her documents through the regular channel. As for St. Come, he too can walk free but urged him that he needed to follow the right procedures so he can legalize himself. Jacoba said receipts of the Brooks Tower permits must submit all their documents for residency permits at least four months prior to November 3 2010. “having the BT permits has opened the doors for both of you to document yourselves on the island once and for all. I do not want to see recipients of the BT permits end up being illegal again”. Jacoba told St. Come and Wu.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in address said Wu served several of the elected and law enforcement at the Chippie Café, thus he congratulated both recipients of the BT permits.
Richards said the BT process is a first but serious step, which would allow persons residing on St. Maarten illegally in a safer position. Richards also urged the recipients of the BT permits to get their documentation ready so that they can remain on St. Maarten. He said all persons applying for residency permits would have to provide all the necessary documents, which is based on the admittance and expulsion law. Richards called on all persons residing on St. Maarten illegally to follow the footsteps of Wu and St. Come who applied for the BT and today have them in their hands.
In the meantime, Leader of Government William Marlin in his remarks thanked the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba who recently took office and ran off with the Brooks Tower by making a firm commitment to execute the Brooks Tower Accord.
Marlin said when they first discussed this matter the Minister had made clear that the process had to be simplified.
Marlin also called on the recipients of the BT permits to do what is necessary to obtain their residency permits in the future. Marlin like the other two speakers made clear that the BT permits are not permanent documents. Marlin said St. Come has been living on St. Maarten for 22 years and he was not able to obtain a doctor’s card and neither can he benefit from pension even though he has been working on the island. “having this permit would give him the opportunity to process his documents.” Marlin said government has decided to put several controllers in place that would be checking the work places to make sure they do not have 20,000 undocumented persons in the next two or three years. These controllers would be appointed early next year Marlin said these controllers would make sure the labour laws are upheld and that employers must adhere to the laws of St. Maarten. He made clear that the BTA is an opportunity for illegal immigrants to regulate their status. He also applauded the Minister for showcasing the procedure, which is aimed at showing those naysayers that this is indeed for real. Marlin called on the two recipients of the BT to encourage others who were in the same “boat or seat as them to make use of this opportunity. Marlin also applauded those working on the BT process he said this would help St. Maarten and most importantly the recipients who would not have to hide under a bus or jump over a wall when they see police in the future.
