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Cayman: Public Consultation to Take Place on Amendments to Immigration Law

Hon Dwayne Seymour

Minister of Border Control, Labour and Culture, Honourable Dwayne Seymour announced during the Third Meeting of the 2024/2025 parliamentary session this morning (Monday, 3 February) that public consultation will take place on the proposed amendments to the Immigration (Transition) Act, 2022. 

In his presentation, the Minister said that government is asking the public to participate in the consultation being conducted on the Immigration (Transition) Discussion White Paper that outlines revenue-generating measures associated with Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman as well as a range of proposals to improve the immigration framework to better address the evolving needs of the Cayman Islands. He said, “The public’s perspectives will help ensure that we craft policies that are balanced, inclusive and grounded in realities of those who live and work here.”

The public consultation process, which has started is expected to run until Monday, 3 March. Members of the public can peruse the documents at publicconsultation.gov.ky/border-control-labour/immigration-transition-discussion-white-paper and provide feedback to the Ministry of Border Control, Labour and Culture via [email protected]

Minister Seymour stated that while immigration plays a crucial role in the Cayman Islands, it continues to cause various challenges and concerns relating to social integration, cultural issues, capacity and existing infrastructure. “Government must ensure that the Islands’ infrastructure can handle the increased demand brought on by a growing population. This includes assessing whether current systems can support additional people without overburdening them, and whether new investment is needed to expand or upgrade facilities and services. Failing to account for the pressures on infrastructure can lead to overcrowded schools, traffic congestion, insufficient healthcare services, and housing shortages, all of which can undermine social stability and economic growth,” he emphasised.

He further noted that in order to deal with the shifting needs of a growing population, the government has to ensure that the needs of both the existing residents and expatriates are met, while immigration legislation evolves to strike a balance between effective migration management and the protection of Caymanian interests. 

The Ministry of Border Control, Labour and Culture has been working on amending the Immigration (Transition) Act since Cabinet gave approval for drafting instructions in May 2024.

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