(CNS): Work is ongoing to reform the Permanent Residency Points System, which many believe is leading to too many new Caymanians, who, in some cases, have become a drain on Cayman’s infrastructure and public purse. However, the end result is unlikely to work its way onto the statute books before the end of next year.
Immigration Minister Michael Myles has said the “process is critical, and we can’t afford to get this wrong”. Answering questions in parliament at the recent meeting, he said the research and analysis had been done to “identify potential approaches to updating the framework”, and that the options are being tested and assessed.
After the initial changes to the immigration law passed last year, there were expectations that changes to the points system would follow quickly. However, this has not happened, which Myles explained is because the new system has to be fit for purpose.
“The last thing that I want to do, certainly, and what the government wants to do, is put out a system that we will have to retract later,” he said, but gave a vague timeline during the parliamentary exchange.
The minister explained that at this stage, no final framework has been agreed, but once the work has been completed and the preferred approach has been finalised, the government will determine the appropriate next steps, including the engagement of stakeholders and the overall timeline for bringing any necessary legislative changes to parliament for consideration and approval.
He said that the ministry is planning stakeholder consultations and completing the remaining aspects of reform during the first half of 2027.
Deputy Opposition Leader Kenneth Bryan, who filed the question, asked how the delay would impact the number of people who could get PR under the old failing system.
“I always have concern that we have too many people moving from work permits to permanent residents,” Myles stated in response. “But I know that this particular process is critical, and we can’t afford to get this wrong. It has to be fit for purpose.
“A lot of work was done by the last administration. We’ve picked up from where that administration left off. We have a small team of persons that are working extremely hard on this point system. We’re partnering with other government entities to make sure that it is tested,” he added.
Myles said he was not concerned about the timeline, and that lawmakers had the opportunity to get it right. “I believe that stakeholder engagement is going to be critically important, including stakeholder engagement with members of the official opposition and our independent members of the opposition.”
He maintained that the process is going quite well. “Prior to us even coming to a stakeholder, it’s going to be very well tested so we can answer whatever questions that our stakeholders will be asking,” he stated.
The minister said more staff would be recruited to help, and he was talking to the finance minister to get funds that were needed, not just for the PR point system but overall, to ensure that WORC continues to be efficient.
“The one thing that we will continue to do — and I certainly give my commitment to this House and to the opposition, because I am very much aware that immigration is always a very hot topic in our country — is that whatever we do, our responsibility is to ensure that it’s done to the best of our ability and the standards of what we expect,” Myles said.
“What the NCFC has given me the task to do is ensure that we put a system in place that I believe is going to be fair and transparent across our country,” Myles said, adding that the search was not for perfection but excellence, and ensuring that before any new system goes live, they can answer questions.
He stressed the importance of consultation, “because I do believe in transparency, and I don’t want to play politics with such an important set of regulations or legislation”. He made a commitment to the opposition that they would be involved in the process of shaping how foreign nationals become Caymanian.
“We don’t need to fight over this stuff. We don’t need to get in here and go to war over something that’s going to benefit all of us and that we all want. So we want to make sure that before it comes here, the member and his team have an opportunity to contribute to the regulations and the legislation. And that’s not going to change.
“I’ve given him my word months ago that anything before it comes here, we will provide his team the opportunity to be a stakeholder in this so they can provide and shape this as we go along,” the minister added.