Deputy Premier Chris Saunders, in responding to concerns over lengthy processing of permanent residence applications, said increased scrutiny and not a moratorium has caused the delay.
Saunders, in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, pointed to the factors causing the slower processing time.
“This has become necessary due to a number of factors, including increased reports of marriages of convenience and other questionable activity. As a result, Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) has stepped up its due diligence with regard to all applications, and in particular those which raise any red flags,” Saunders said in his statement.
He said he wanted to “correct the misperception” that no PR applications have been reviewed or granted this year.
“Since January 2022, 98 PR applications have been approved and 61 have been refused,” he said.
His statement follows a formal letter from law firm HSM to government warning of looming ligation and flagging the possibility of mass permanent residency grants as a consequence of the delays at WORC. The firm cited statistics it received through a freedom of information request, which indicated that PR applications were not being processed.
Special committee to process applications
Saunders said government understands that any delays in processing could impact people’s lives and plans for the future, and “WORC is actively reviewing the process to determine how it may be expedited without compromising the necessary levels of scrutiny”.
To this end, he said, a special project team has begun a review of pending PR applications.
“It is intended that applications will be reviewed in date order, with the oldest being reviewed first. The project team is made up of selected WORC personnel who possess legal standing through delegated powers by the Acting Interim Director, as defined by the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision,)” he said.
The deputy premier also provided a breakdown of applications processed from 2009 to 2022, which showed that some 6,575 applications were processed overall for that period, of which 3,788 were approved.
The number of pending applications for 2022, however, was not provided.
Saunders noted in his statement that the 2022 statistics are not the lowest annual numbers by far.
“Look back to 2015 and 2016, when just 33 and 43 applications, respectively, were processed and only 37 approved in total over the two years. Where was the outcry at that time?” he asked.
Saunders also took issue with what he called an “attitude of entitlement” that has grown around the issue of permanent residence and this, he said, showed a new approach is needed.
“People must understand that merely coming here as an employee and remaining for a certain number of years does not automatically make you entitled to PR. It merely gives you the opportunity to apply. It is how you live in our community, and your commitment to our community, that will determine whether your application is granted,” he said.
Permanent residence by merit
Saunders said government owes a responsibility to the local community to ensure that those receiving permanent residence have achieved this honour through merit.
“To understand the gravity and importance of being granted Permanent Residence, applicants must realise and appreciate that the Caymanian community is giving you a pathway to their precious birthright. It is not only the right to reside here, but the opportunity to build your life and family here, to further your career here, and to begin your path to full citizenship of the Cayman Islands. It is the first step to becoming Caymanian,” he said, as he addressed the issue.
Looking to population growth, Saunders, who is also the minister for border control, said, “As a small population, it is important that we are mindful that our national identity remains.
“The massive societal change caused by the doubling of our Islands’ population in just one generation should give everyone pause. The effects can be seen through some of the challenges we have today, especially with regard to housing, which is a basic human right.”
Cayman’s population, according to statistics released in August, stood at 78,554, an increase of 10.5% over the number of people counted in the October 2021 census.
“On 15 November, the world population reached a milestone of eight billion people. Consider that average population growth is less than one percent per year in most developed countries and then recognise that in just eight months the Cayman Islands population grew by 10.5 percent,” Saunders said.
Naturally, he added, there would be no template for this kind of rapid expansion.
“It is therefore necessary, indeed imperative, that we focus on sustainable development and thoughtful population growth to ensure we have a successful society for our children and future generations.
“In the granting of Permanent Residence applications, the burden of care is great. We must seek to ensure that those we welcome among us will better our community for the advancement of all,” he said, adding that gaining PR “is not an automatic right”.
He added, “It is a privilege granted to those deserving residents who have become a part of the very fabric of our community. It is not a status to be conveyed to anyone perpetuating divisions in our society. New applicants must recognise that taking an entitlement approach is not the mindset of someone looking to integrate.”
Saunders said it should not expected that permanent residence status will be granted automatically after being here for a certain amount of time.
“It does not work that way,” he said. “We also do not want to reward those taking short cuts or making misrepresentations in the application process.”
Everyone involved – both genuine and qualified applicants as well as the local community – he said, is owed the requisite due diligence “to ensure that the people invited to live here permanently are truly deserving”.
He added, “We take this responsibility very seriously, as we would like to recognise and reward those long-term residents who have played by the rules and who have greatly benefited our community. We don’t want to cheapen their contribution. We fully recognise that Cayman’s success was achieved in partnership with people who came here and made our Islands their home.”
Saunders noted that the existing points system used to evaluate whether applicants have earned the right to be granted permanent residence is being reviewed by a committee of people from diverse backgrounds.
“The PACT Government believes it is the members of this community who should decide who gains the right to live among them. It is not a decision that should be made by either businesses or politicians, but by the Caymanian community,” he added.
That review is expected to be completed by year’s end.
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Very well said, Mr. Saunders. 100% agree with you. I lived in Cayman for 7 years and accepted my ‘Roll-over’ separation out of respect for the people, culture and integrity of the system. Whilst I love Cayman and enjoyed integrating with the society, I have always respected that imaginary line where you do not encroach and allow the country to maintain its identity. I would expect similar respect in my own homeland. Others have come and used underhanded tactics to gain residency even before they are entitled, whilst discriminating against and abusing locals. I am glad the leadership is in steady and capable hands. Well done.