Today’s news that the Government of St. Maarten signed on to the joint regulation on border control is most welcome, and not just because it’s one of the conditions placed by the Netherlands to provide substantial financial assistance. The fact is that especially in the current socio-economic situation with many losing their jobs, admittance rules must be strictly applied perhaps more than ever.
In addition, the reality is that in recent years there have been several controversies, scandals, investigations and court cases involving Immigration officials. Let’s face it, without effective supervision on arrivals and departures, enforcing the residence and employment permit regulations simply becomes a “mission impossible.”
Fears that The Hague wanted to “take over” were dispelled by caretaker Justice Minister Rafael Boasman. It regards additional reinforcements from the Dutch military police and Customs who had already been helping to better guard persons and goods coming into the country.
Local authorities will take part in formulating the relevant plan of approach by January 1. Recovery funds are also to ensure they can continue executing this task when the agreement expires per the same date in 2020.
Hopefully, the other main prerequisite of establishing an Integrity Chamber based on the protocol signed by former Deputy Prime Minister Dennis Richardson will also be fulfilled as quickly as possible. That would enable the much-needed rebuilding aid to come sooner rather than later.
