Anguillians and nationals of other British Overseas Territories have the opportunity to live and work in Britain and other European States, two of the facilities being the European Passport and British citizenship.

Mark Romney

But it has long been said that there is no reciprocity of this status on the part of Britons or other Europeans desirous to have abode or employment in the Overseas Territories.

It seemed odd, however, that a person, with both parents born in Anguilla should experience difficulty in living and working in Anguilla.

But this has been the experience of Mark Romney, Vice President of Sales with Cable & Wireless, Anguilla, and a frequent traveler to and from the island with no previous problem until Monday this week. On his return from Tortola, he said an Immigration Officer here asked him for his Anguillian passport.

Stamp shows treatment as an Anguillian

Having no such local travel document, he presented a British passport showing he was born in England. He was then told by the Immigration Officer that he was considered to be a visitor and should check with the Immigration Department for a belongership stamp in his passport. In the meantime, he was given 30 days in Anguilla and prohibited from working. His passport was stamped to that effect.

Romney, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Everet Romney, was born in England but came to Anguilla as a child. He attended the Road Primary School and the Valley Secondary School. He has been living on the island for 35 years and employed at Cable and Wireless for 17 years.

According to Romney, it was through him that his wife, a Jamaican, obtained an Anguillian Passport and he is a registered voter.

Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, who has responsibility for immigration affairs, said the Immigration Officer was correct and all that was necessary was for Mr. Romney to have his passport endorsed with a Belonger of Anguilla stamp.

Stamp shows treatment as a visitor

While Romney understands that his birth in England affects his status in Anguilla and that there is no reciprocity of citizenship here, he questions the lack of information on the matter. He thinks that it should be widely explained so that persons in his situation would know what to do and be spared any embarrassment.

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