Securing TCI Borders: A Labour of Love

A guest blog from Simon Excell, an immigration adviser to the Ministry of Border Control.

During a recent meeting with The Governor, he asked if I would  be  a “guest blogger” on his site, to talk about my work over the past two  years with the Ministry of Border Control and Labour. Needless to say, I accepted the invitation!

With over 30 years’ experience working across UK Immigration units, from Heathrow Airport controls, to Immigration Detention Centres and Operational Enforcement teams, I had seen tremendous change.  So when the opportunity arose to help develop and support an ambitious change programme in the beautiful Islands of the Turks and Caicos, how could I resist?

Many of my colleagues in wet and windy England envy my secondment to the TCI, with good reason. That said, despite the beautiful beaches, friendly colleagues and endless sunshine, it has been no holiday. Charged with the task of enhancing and developing Border Control and Enforcement capabilities, it was evident from day one that basic equipment was lacking and that additional support and guidance for officers was central to bringing about meaningful improvements.

Whilst “immigration” and those engaged in controlling it will always prompt debate and criticism from commentators, the development of TCI Border Control and Enforcement has been huge, and something to be proud of. There is still much work to be done and the new Immigration Bill will assist in that, but  there has been excellent progress.

Finally opened in September 2012, the Coastal Radar Station provides a world class maritime ‘track and trace’ facility,  linking Immigration, Police Marine Branch, Customs, Ports Authority and other agencies, along with US Coastguard colleagues under the OpBAT agreement, in the fight to better secure TCI borders.

Ministry Task Force and Compliance Officers have received specialist equipment, uniform and training from the UK, under the jointly funded FCO/DfID Technical Assistance programme. The Ministry now boasts its own, accredited operational skills trainers. Only those officers demonstrating high levels of professionalism and operational skills during mandatory annual testing are certificated to undertake operations across the Islands, targeting unlawful entrants and illegal working with intelligence produced by newly trained Intelligence Officers.

Provo and Grand Turk Airports now boast ‘state of the art’ forgery detection equipment that efficiently identifies forged and counterfeit passports. Operated by newly trained forgery specialists, assistance is now also available to Island Police and government agencies in identifying other counterfeit documents such as permits, certificates and bank notes. Further, in continued efforts to improve security and service at TCI ports of entry, Immigration airport supervisors benefitted from two weeks exposure to the management of busy UK controls at London Heathrow Airport.

A number of senior Ministry officials have also  undertaken study tours of UK Immigration offices, developing relations and partnerships with teams in London, Liverpool and Sheffield. It was during one such study tour that agreement was reached for the acquisition of three bespoke detainee transport vans (pictured), at no charge.

In the absence of any written guidance, the development and publication to front line staff of appropriate immigration policy, practice and procedure has been a critical element in supporting their endeavours. Now staff  have access to a comprehensive Operational Guidance Manual, and to policy documents outlining the Ministry’s Illegal and Joint Working strategies. Draft guidance and legislation is progressing that supports recent training in the treatment of persons seeking humanitarian protection, whilst a refreshed ‘Irregular Migrant Contingency Plan’ has received praise from US, UK and regional colleagues and is recognised as a ‘best practice

’ document for effective multi-agency working.

There is still much to do, but the prospect of a modernised, professional, efficient and effective TCI Border Control is within sight. It has been a rocky road, and there will be more pitfalls no doubt, but I’m loving the ride and the opportunity help make TCI offer the best possible immigration service to its all important visitors.