Outrage over PM Harris 'decision to remove waiting period for citizenship after marriage

A policy decision by the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government to abolish the three-year waiting period for spouses to become citizens of St Kitts and Nevis after marriage, has sparked widespread criticism from nationals at home and abroad.

Persons from all political persuasions have accused the government of cheapening the citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis, opening the floodgates to marriages of convenience with the exchange of vows one day and divorces a few months after citizenship, corruption and an attempt by the unpopular three-party coalition to swamp the Voters' List ahead of general elections expected in the next few months.

"The only bills they have the time to pass are those that put money in their pockets or grant them more power to carry out their wicked deeds. Since his colleagues can’t hold a candle of correction to him , the citizens should, by voting them out. The majority of citizens don’t support them so they are doing all within their power to get the votes elsewhere," said J Ko Rob.

Cleo Rogers: "I am very disappointed in this government that I voted and campaign for some of the stupid things that do amaze me, it blows my mind, it shows that they really do not have any value or respect for our flag or our passport. In other countries you have to be married for a certain time before you can even become citizens and you have to prove that your marriage is real. What in the corn flakes CrackerJax pebbles and Bam Bam nonsense is the government."

Chelsea Liburd Prentice:: "Nonsense...how can I now say I'm proud to be a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis with all this wash your foot and come business?

Burt Wutter disclosed that he has a friend from the Dominican Republic, who related to him that he went to St Kitts and worked for one year at the Marriott Hotel then returned to the Dominican Republic.

"After being in the Dominican Republic for about two years he returned to St Kitts and got his citizenship and a St Kitts and Nevis passport. My friend told me that he didn't marry a citizen and none of his parents or grandparents were from there. He only spent one year there working and he was too poor to become an Economic Citizen. How he got it, is the million dollars question and he swore that this is truth. My friend got his citizenship and passport last year," said Wutter.

"Election coming," responded Telisha Irish.

"I believe they crazy. It's an election gimmick to get votes. That's a stupid ass decision," posted Queendisa Jones.

Punchie Caines-Hall..and divorce de next day.

Kali Mist: "This gotta be a joke."

Tamielia Demming: "Them can vote but Kittitians abroad (whether studying or otherwise) with family and property here can't vote. Only in St Christopher dread! Spanish have more rights than persons who born here. Spanish have more rights and say than Kittitians and Nevisions born here but living overseas."

Desmond Tyson accused prime minister Harris of hypocrisy for being critical of the three-year waiting period imposed by the former St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party administration that he was a part of for 18 years.

"This man (Timothy Harris) speaks of the former administration as if he wasn't a senior minister. He was front and center with the decision-making," said Tyson.

"I'm starting a Citizenship by Marriage Investment Programme. $100,000 to marry a St Kitts and Nevis citizen." said Mike Warrington.

Kamoy Liburd: "I wonder if the three Spanish who want me to marry ain't want marry again."

"For all them Sick thinking SKNERS, who sit and fight each other daily for Politicians, you all are now nothing, a NEW People has been chosen ! Now their Indigenous sovereignty as owners of the Land are going to be strengthened ! They used us, All for votes,, I too Love me Foreigners, they are the NEXT Nation ! OneLove," said Bubah Brandon Willet.

"Bubah Brandon Willett, you could not have said it better. Pure foolishness. I now feel unwelcome in my own country. I wonder is there another island out there where nobody live. A few people might want join me on this new venture," said Sharon Liburd. Abby

Archibald posted: "No where in the world this happens. This is downright sickening."

Pointing out that the three year waiting period was just a policy, Powell accused the government of playing smart. "They are going to go in the house eventually and amend the constitution to add a waiting period. But in meantime, anybody can marry and apply for citizenship right away. So you see they playing smart. It means the Spanish them will get the opportunity to get citizenship right away just in time for election."

Orngel Battice was of the view that the decision will have economic consequences for the citizenship programme. "What about the Chinese with their deep pockets. Indigenous Kittitinas and Nevisians. How does this affect the CBI? Don’t have to pay $$$ no more ? I wouldn’t if I could pay a citizen $5,000 to marry me."

Sheena Maynard called for the decision to be challenged in Court "because no where in the world you can marry today and turn citizen tomorrow..it’s a three to five year wait."

"It can be beneficial to the average local to make money by marriage. But that same benefit will put the country in security danger. Mark my words. The USA and Canada will soon stop granting visas completely to us. Maybe even green cards too," said Richie Buntin.

"This is preposterous and a dilution of the value of our citizenship. The Team Unity Government is desperate as they know the Labour Party is strong," said Deli Caines.

Community and social activist Curtis Crook pointed to the hypocrisy of prime minister Harris who had accused a lawyer who is married to a Kittitian for decades of 'banging water to come to St Kitts; that former police commissioner who was born in St Kitts 'to go back with his foreign accent' and Kittitians and Nevisians who were trained in Cuba of 'wanting to take over our country.' Its all to secure a win for this election. They realize that they cannot win without cheating."

"Born Nevisians and Kittitians who reside abroad may not be able to participate in the next Federal elections but 24 hour citizens living in the Federation and cannot speak English well can? This Team Unity Government is desperate," posted Caines.

Dray Wilkinson said he is upset by the new policy decision. "This upset me bad. How can you just marry somebody and get citizenship. This is desperate and seems like a last resort kind of thing. This is some stupidness."

Ava Davis says "It makes no sense at all. Just about every country have a waiting period before you can become a citizen. A person needs to be a legal resident for a period of time before they can become a citizen. I believe five years is a sufficient amount of time."

Abby Archibald disclosed that she was informed by someone in the Team Unity camp: "It's just for elections and when they win quote on quote they'll revise it and amend it. Come down fadda come down!"

"Timothy Harris smart. His goal is to keep Douggie (Denzil Douglas) out and he will do anything for that. Kittitians need to make their vote count," said Denise Sutton Lloyd.

"Real nonsense them a do. Vote them out. Disunity trying everything," said Patrick Browne.