On Wednesday November 28th, the partners in the immigration chain assembled in an annual Mini Conference on Saba. For the first time this Mini-Conference was held on Saba preceded by a special immigration chain meeting between Saba and St. Eustatius on Tuesday November 27th. More than 45 participants, from Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire and the Netherlands participated in these two days of meetings. The conference was opened by the Island Governor of Saba Jonathan Johnson and Michiel Marchand of the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force.
The immigration chain consultation is held four times a year on Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire. Participating in these consultations are the Royal Constabulary (KMar), Caribbean Netherlands Police Force (KPCN), Immigration and Naturalization Service CN (IND CN), Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), Census Office, Caribbean Netherlands Tax Office (BCN) and the Cabinet of the Island Governor. From the Netherlands there were representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Security, The Repatriation and Departure Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).
This year, the immigration chain consultation concluded with a mini conference between the partners in the chain where various topics were discussed and which concluded with work agreements drawn up in a covenant by IND CN, KMar and KPCN. Topics raised were among others: bottlenecks evacuees after the hurricanes Irma and Maria, strengthening of the cooperation between the islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, the protection of children during emergencies in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, bottlenecks encountered by the various services and what is needed for the future.
During the chain consultation on Tuesday November 27th the evaluation of the Law on Admission and Expulsion (WTU-BES) was discussed. Adjustment of the law and regulations were also discussed. Here were reviewed, among others, the process of border control, temporary custody and re-entry.