Nearly 500 residents approved in 2017

| 18/01/2018 | 96 Comments

(CNS): The latest official government figures relating to efforts to address the backlog of permanent residency applications reveal that 496 people received PR in Cayman last year, while 242 people were turned down. The process was derailed for several years as a result of successful legal challenges to the points system used to judge the merits of potential new residents, and over a thousand applications were waiting to be heard in May last year when the board began re-hearing cases. That has since been cut to 402.

Officials said the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency (CSPR) Board resumed its normal meeting schedule after the holiday season on Thursday, 11 January. The immigration department administrators tasked with reviewing permanent residency applications continued to work throughout the holiday season as normal.

During the first two weeks of the year another 31 applications were granted, while 52 were declined.

See accumulative statistics: PR Backlog Progress Tracking 2017-2018

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Comments (96)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Re: “…your trumped up, racist and hateful views. …”

    It just occurred to me that your criticism presents quite the opportunity.

    Meaning, Trump is constantly accused of being a racist despite he and his defenders swearing otherwise.
    For example, within the last 72 hours there has been a heated debate on this very forum regarding his sentiments / insinuations during Haiti v Norway Shithole-gate.

    Similarly, I have also been accused by you (and many of your voting supporters) of being a “racist” – amongst a plethora of other negatives.
    Nothing about my post, or others prior, was remotely racist – in fact, it was simply a regurgitation of Trump’s comments.

    **
    “500 shitholers seeking a better life in the Cayman Islands (according to Trump and his many CNS supporters).

    – Whodatis”
    **

    Interestingly, the above comment caused quite the shit-fest in the thread below – and I am but a simple anonymous poster on CNS. Trump is the President of the United States of America … are we beginning to understand the global outrage?

    One thing that is undeniable about Trump is he is a dividing force.
    For example, I simply reiterated his terminology in regards to Cayman’s immigration situation and I was called every undesirable thing under the sun – by the VERY SAME individuals that took me and others to task for calling out Trump on his sentiments.

    I trust this little social experiment will enable more of us to gain an understanding of the other side and open our eyes to the interpretation of others.

    Just because we happen to be exempt from the disrespectful rhetoric does not negate the reality thereof for others.

    – Whodatis

    (Referenced post):
    “Anonymous says:
    19/01/2018 at 1:59 pm
    Ah Who, really? Low even by your standards…these desperados managed to get approved by the Cayman Islands staffed and run immigration board…by meeting and exceeding the criteria set by the very CIG elected by the Caymanian voters…yet you still manage to blame all of the successful candidates and not one single Caymanian for your trumped up, racist and hateful views. You need to deal with those anger issues, they make you sound increasingly desperate and nonsensical. The irony is, I deeply suspect that if you had to pass these tests, you would fail miserably….too much hatred in your soul and not enough contribution to Cayman society.”

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    • Anonymous says:

      Oh Who. The problem with your experiment is the entire premise is ridiculously flawed. It’s plainly obvious that Haiti and Cayman are not in the same league by any social or economic metric. The reason you are being called a racist is because you judge and assign motives to everyone and everything purely on the basis of race. That is the definition of racism.

      Now, if Cayman and Haiti had any similarities other than racial demographics and both being Caribbean islands then you may have a point. Clearly they do not and therefore your experiment is entertaining but misses the mark.

      • Anonymous says:

        The issue at hand is the language used (by the U.S. President) and not the standards of any given country.

        For example, the Premier of Cayman and President of Haiti could easily regard America as a shithole country for it’s mass shootings (Norway as well), misogyny, and racism – and be rightly criticised for doing so.

        Why you insist on shifting the argument in the direction you do is for you to come to terms with buddy.

        I’m done with this now. You be good.

        – Who

      • Anonymous says:

        Re: “The reason you are being called a racist is because you judge and assign motives to everyone and everything purely on the basis of race.”

        You continue with this claim.

        PLEASE provide some supporting evidence.
        (A simple website search is all that is required.)

        Standing by …

        Regards,

        – Who

  2. Anonymous says:

    For all those new 500, I hope each and every one of them can say, hand on heart, they did not exaggerate their community service and they pledge to integrate and embrace, not condemn, our culture. I trust they have never cheated a Caymanian out of a job through the work permit process or cheated the government out of stamp duty in the process of transferring land. But the odds of that are not good at all and that is the primary objection to the current WP and PR process. It is too easy to cheat all the way through. Then after the years of cheating, the recipients self righteously cry about their sufferings over the 8 or 9 year process to justify their “entitlement” to something, if they’re honest, they probably shouldn’t have gotten.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Did none of those things. Don’t know anyone who did. If you do, don’t whine about it, report them to immigration.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah you sound really open to us ‘integrating and embracing’ with you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ignorance is a person who does not want to know the truth about anything. .Being right when you know you are wrong must be painful.

    • West bay Premier says:

      CNS , How come there aren’t any articles written about all the crime and killings that is happening next door in Jamaican ? Should we be vetting people coming from places like Jamaica and other Countries. We shouldn’t be scared of publishing these kinds of statistics , because this world is smaller , we have FACEBOOK and INTERNET today so CNS and other News organizations in the C.I are just a drop in the bucket .

      CNS: Cayman News Service is and always has been an internet-based news organisation. We don’t do print news, so ‘we have internet today’ is pretty much the point of CNS. The reason we don’t do much international news (and have never done so) is precisely because everyone can get that news on other websites – there is absolutely no point in us trying to compete with a local news source elsewhere in the world. For example, if you want to read about crime in Jamaica, I would encourage you to read the Gleaner or the Jamaica Observer, both very good news organisations where journalists check their sources and make every possible effort to print the truth. Facebook is an internet platform where people can post any old crap. As such, it’s generally not a reliable news source.

    • Anonymous says:

      Never gave that pledge. Never would. PR is just a step in the process to status, which is really about making it easier to leave and get other people to make easy money for you.

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  3. Jimmy says:

    38 murders in the first 6 days of 2018 in Jamaica. No wonder tourists are being told to stay in their hotel complex. Is that what we can expect in GC?

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    • West bay Premier says:

      If they keep that up pretty soon there won’t be any LIVING people by the end of 2018 in Jamaica and no Tourism . Cayman is on that route too . I think it’s time for the People of Cayman to demand from Government that the crime epidemic be fixed immediately . Or you would be just like Jamaica.

      • If condo break ins continue on a daily basis in the Seven Mile Beach area there soon will be a Jamaica type situation in Cayman. People need to wake up and start demanding from their elected representatives that action be taken against the criminal element on island. Burglaries have become rampant. Word is getting out to the tourists and long term visitors on island that this place is no longer safe. Some people have already started to sell their condos because of the situation.

        What are you doing Joey Hew? Seven Mile Beach is your constituency.
        The time for political action on this issue is now.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is what you can expect if you are a racist wanting excuses to justify your prejudices.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Tsk tsk tsk.

    Certain people are super vexed because they HATE being inadvertently called out for emigrating from “first world” countries to that of Cayman.
    An island-nation primarily made up of the same original people, history and circumstances as “shithole” Haiti.

    That really ought to burn.

    Anyway, welcome to your better life. Tell your mates and family back home – they are also welcomed to visit, but shouldn’t get too excited – there is not enough room for all to remain.
    They should kindly return to their MAGA, Brexit, AFD, Jobbik and such.

    (Oh the irony.)

    Cheers,

    – Who

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    • Anonymous says:

      Better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you’re a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

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    • Debbie says:

      Do we blame the civil service for clearing up this mess that the PR board made …. is this the same civil service who isn’t enforcing laws yet we read of hundreds of arrests and the courts needs more space. I for one appreciate my civil service. Cayman is paradise and no one wants to leave.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Everybody wants to leave after a while. In my case it’s about three weeks.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It’s hardly paradise. Maybe years ago but not anymore. It’s for the rich and the criminals. Anyone in between are simply numbers.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Umm, the civil service was given the right to grant PR from 2013. They did not. You cannot just blame the Board.

    • Anonymous says:

      Love MAGA! If you get anymore like Haiti, we’ll just have to pick another island to hang out on. Of course we’re all over those islands too, so no big deal. Hardly any of us want to be you and be tuck there permanently.

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t understand you “special” kind of logic but I do admire your total dedication to it.
      -Dat

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    • Anonymous says:

      Except the whole point of the PR and status shenanigans is to return to the first world not to emigrate to the third world.

  5. Anonymous says:

    PR holder here… And a little off topic.

    When my annual work permit was submitted and the fee paid i got an expiry stamp in my passport. I knew when the application needed to be renewed and my employer knew as it was noted on the immigration website.

    I now have PR, A fee equal to (at least, usually more) my annual work permit has to be paid annually. However, there is no expiry stamp in my passport suggesting what day it is to be paid, there is no notation on Immigration Online, there is no sending out of “reminder notices” or even an emailed invoice or request (these payments can be in the thousands) and as I travel a fair bit, there does not seem to be any ramification at the airport , no “you have to pay your annual fee, or I cant let you in”.

    I have heard there are thousands if not millions in uncollected fees, i wonder what the collection process is?

    Having been arrested and jailed for forgetting to pay a moving violation, i would expect it to be quite severe!

    p.s. All paid up for the next 12 months.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Plenty people that got PR went to Social Services and are on SS a few months after getting PR, in the Brac they are some and in Grand it is more.

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    • Anonymous says:

      More fake news

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    • Anonymous says:

      Just a tinsy winsy little problem there 10.43, your comment seems to be sadly lacking in any facts…To my knowledge PR doesn’t give you the right to benefits. Status may do that, but PR is a step on the road to status. Given the more rigourous tests being applied, I suspect anyone remotely borderline on criteria is already back in their native land. Why do you just have to stir it up?

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      • Anonymous says:

        1:50 pm, check the Brac social services and Immigration when some of these people that are getting benefits and when they got their PR, also check the Seamen club, when some of these so call seamen came here and are getting the Seamen benefits, remember the Seamen benefits is for Caymanians that was living here and sending home here their money to help the economy when it was no Banks and very little Tourists.

      • Eat your heart out says:

        Your government keeps forgetting to make the general public aware I see!! Do you know that immediately after getting PR the residents have the right to apply for Cayman Status simply because the department of Immigration was half-a$$ing the people’s applications for years???/ I know that for a fact!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      How could that be possible, if “Proof of Caymanian Status” is the the first entry line on the intake form for public assistance? Are you suggesting that someone in CIG is not checking the ID?!? Which office is this happening in?

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      • Anonymous says:

        My guess would be that it’s not and the claimants have status or are claiming for children with status.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations to those that were so patient with this much-delayed process, persevered, and made the cut. The Board has convened and obviously determined you’ve been making sustained valuable contributions to the community, have sufficient means to support yourselves, are not breaking our laws, and we thank you for all of that. These are the kind of good people we need to embrace and welcome. They continue to live and contribute here, after having demonstrated their ability to do so for many years. This is your home now too. A Caymanian.

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    • Anonymous says:

      9:51 am, how many of those are the very ones who are walking around as better than? I know of young people with their masters, who were in the working world, went off to university to up skill themselves and are not given an oppuurtunity to get their feet over the threshold. Why is PR being handed out so generously, yet our own people are being left behind? The premier said, ‘the more work permits the more jobs for Caymanians’. What a sick statement. The more PRs, less jobs for indigenous Caymanians. RIP.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    500 shitholers seeking a better life in the Cayman Islands (according to Trump and his many CNS supporters).

    – Whodatis

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    • Anonymous says:

      8.25am. Precisely correct – President is 100o/o correct along with everyone who understands. This madness has to stop. Soon Cayman is going to be the biggest (smallest) SHIT HOLE island ever. Then what are we going say????? Or do??????

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      • Anonymous says:

        There is no comparison. Expats in Cayman first have to be hired by an Employer. They then have to remain here with a job for 9 years without becoming a burden or a criminal. During that time they have to accumulate enough points to be eligible for PR with no guarantee of actually getting enough points.
        That’s called a merit based system.

        What Trump is against is a non-merit based system.

        Big difference.

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        • Anonymous says:

          The difference you aren’t highlighting is that Trump is calling for the creation of a merit based system for ENTERING the country as an immigrant/ or worker. He isn’t saying that people can come in work and leave he is saying they shouldn’t be able to come in, in the first place

          whereas we have a merit based system for REMAINING in the country as a resident with the right to live and work, our merit system doesn’t dictate whether you can enter the islands and work it just means that if you aren’t up to scratch you cannot stay after a certain period

          You are comparing apples to oranges

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          • Anonymous says:

            FAKE NEWS

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          • Anonymous says:

            I don’t know if you explained that the way you intended, but it either makes absolutely no sense, it’s incoherent or its completely fabricated.

            Why don’t you try again and this time provide a policy link so the rest of us can follow along with your comparison.

            Trump is calling for an end to the visa lottery program and chain migration, that’s it and both are non-merit based programs.
            https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/immigration/

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            • Anonymous says:

              Perhaps you should return to Trump University, if you couldn’t understand the most basic of details in immigration policy, maybe just save yourself the trouble and stop commenting on it

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              • Anonymous says:

                Well, ok then, I guess it’s the later, fabricated. I notice you have no policy link. No link because there isn’t one consistent with your breathless claim.

            • Anonymous says:

              3:09pm, the flood gates are open. People from poorer countries are marrying, so they can bring in their brood from whence they came. The schools are overflowing with them and their problems. There was a classic example mid 2017 of and accident/incident that involved theft/accident and damages. When are we going to drain our swamp, and take some burden off of imported demand on Social Services?
              Just one incident that speaks clearly.

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          • Anonymous says:

            You are 100% correct.

            However, the average Trump supporter doesn’t bother with facts and logic – instead, they are energised by populism and the most regressive of human traits.

            – Whodatis

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        • Anonymous says:

          Their are white collar individuals, who are serving time in HMP and no mention of them losing PR or Status for crimes committed. Give me a break!

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      • Anonymous says:

        The whole PR process is designed to eliminate the economic dependants. You are confusing these people with the Mac status grant hordes .

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    • Anonymous says:

      500 more _ may God help us. This is unreal. This is treason against us.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You do realize these are 500 new persons these are 500 persons who have been here for probably 8+ years

        Y’all make Caymanians look bad

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        • Anonymous says:

          4:20am, do they really care about us, or it’s the convenience? They appreciate being here and respect the people, is one thing but being snobbish an being polite, is another. As longer as they don’t ruffled any feathers they are welcomed.
          I am not going to another man’s country and try to take it over. I am a guest.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Shitholers? Caymankind right there. Classy.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Many of us wish we could cancel your papers Whodatis. Spewing so much resentment is unbecoming, and un-Caymanian. You need more calmness in your life. Please go outside and listen to the birds and feel the sun and wind in your hair. Put the sand in your toes.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Take a look at a PR application form and tell me if you would even qualify to stay here as a Caymanian. Between the required volunteer work, education requirements, investment requirements as a percentage of income and the cost of even applying…this is quite a selective process.

      And rightfully so as this is a great place to live and those 500 people are sure to respect and enjoy it as it means a better life for them and their families…they aren’t here to bring it down.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ah Who, really? Low even by your standards…these desperados managed to get approved by the Cayman Islands staffed and run immigration board…by meeting and exceeding the criteria set by the very CIG elected by the Caymanian voters…yet you still manage to blame all of the successful candidates and not one single Caymanian for your trumped up, racist and hateful views. You need to deal with those anger issues, they make you sound increasingly desperate and nonsensical. The irony is, I deeply suspect that if you had to pass these tests, you would fail miserably….too much hatred in your soul and not enough contribution to Cayman society.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Ummm…between the 2 of us, you appear to be the hate-filled individual to be honest.
        (I’m here offering you a virtual ice-cold glass of swanky and a comfortable seat. Take a chill pill at the same time.)

        Most of all, realise that I simply repeated the sentiments of the sitting U.S. President – whom I am quite certain you didn’t condemn with even a sliver of the same energy.

        I trust, by way of my intentional social experiment, more people today understand the outrage felt by hundreds of millions around the world when the most powerful man on earth utilises such language.

        Sometimes we only feel the burn when the fire is sent our direction.

        – Whodatis

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        • Emotional much says:

          Hmm “sometimes we only feel the burn when the fire is sent our direction”

          Hahahahaha omg dude stop just stop! Go travel and make friends . Whoever you wasting your time around has made you an emotional pile.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You really can’t fix stupid. Last week Who, you had some really sound advice for everyone…this week back to worse than normal. Try to get outside of yourself and see what you have become. You accuse virtually all expats of hatred for Caymanians, which may happen in a very small way, but by no means the majority, then fall into the trap of fueling any ill feeling with your vitriol…and blaming UK/USA/ expats for all Caymans ills is just not cutting it any more. All words, no substance.

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          • Anonymous says:

            I challenge you to provide a single example to back up your criticisms of Whodatis.

            Let me save you the time and energy – you cannot.

            Instead, what has happened is, you have read certain hot words in my posts and jumped to erroneous conclusions – as tends to be the flaw of the simple and emotional.

            – Who

            *As you are the self-appointed campaigner against all biased commentary on CNS, I trust you are keeping yourself busy as you attack every anti-Caymanian sentiment on this forum.

            Clearly this is not the case, therefore I impolitely encourage you to stfu.

            – Who

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s pretty funny, but yer gonna get rotten tomatoes for it.

      • Anonymous says:

        I know.
        The tomatoes hurled by hypocrites tend to be quite rotten.

        – Who

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        • Anonymous says:

          Everyone who disagrees with you supports Trump? You’re delusional with self-importance!

          • Anonymous says:

            Ok dude, eff’ off.
            That goes to you and your CNS colleagues.

            You people make it a point to respond to my posts yet ONLY manage to hurl ad hominem attacks and “personal” insults – to an anonymous poster, no less.

            I don’t come on to this forum and attack people or groups of people.
            I actually address pressing matters and shed light on blatant hypocrisies and double-standards that exist today.

            (This actual news story in question against the backdrop of Trump’s earth-shaking comments this week is a local dichotomy that cannot be ignored – although clearly many would prefer it was.)

            So, when replying to my substantial offerings (otherwise you wouldn’t spend the time and energy), either bring equal substance or stfu. Seriously.

            – Who

  9. Oh no says:

    This is too high. Our children are lossig their opportunity. Stop importing proverty. This should come with a condition. If you go on social service you lose your PR.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Poverty? Wtf are you talking about? Have you even read the conditions for PR?

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      • Anonymous says:

        8:55am, if walking dogs or conveniently working at the Red Cross and many other Social Clubs to gain points for PR is part of the system, it stinks. I know of individuals who only performed such tasks, to merely receach their objective and slammed the door shut there after. Use, abuse and characterize the natives.
        I hope the young Caymanians will do their jobs well now and always. RMLs.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Whether its for points or simple kindheartedness, expats are who you’ll find volunteering in large numbers. Whether it’s cleaning beaches, coaching/mentoring or donating money. Never a good idea to look a gift horse in the mouth.

    • dazed and confused. says:

      If you become destitute you can have your PR revoked.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Ha HA you are funny. You read the Law and believe that is what happens. It does not. The importation of poverty is enormous, and it continues and is overwhelming.

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        • Anonymous says:

          The only realistic way to get PR without property, savings and $100k+ income is to have a kid with a Caymanian… but sure let’s blame the immigrants.

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          • Anonymous says:

            What is $100,000? Get laid off from your job, get sick and insurance rejects claims, then tell me how long that money will last? Who will pick up the gauntlet?

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          • Anonymous says:

            And if the Caymanian that gets you pregnant is a penniless foreign national who may have received a cabinet status grant? That’s the ticket!

    • Anonymous says:

      yes you lose it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Stop commenting as you have no idea what you are talking about, run back to Kerry Tidbits

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    • Anonymous says:

      “Go on social service”? These aren’t status grants. There’s no entitlement with PR.

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      • Anonymous says:

        no one told social services that.

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        • Anonymous says:

          So what you are saying is anyone can go to social services, expat without PR, tourist, illegal immigrant..doesn’t matter and be granted government assistance? Do you have any examples of this or even a single example, or are you simply making things up?

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    • Anonymous says:

      It is the law that if you go to Social services you lose PR. The problem is that Social Services never tell immigration, which never follows the law anyway!

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    • Anonymous says:

      News flash, poor people don’t apply for PR. You need money in the bank for starters. How about you stop blaming expats and prepare your children for the real world and how it works. Blaming expats is a classic excuse for your lazy ass parenting. Get off your phone. Go read a book with your kid….

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      • Anonymous says:

        You need 5% of your last 12 months income. That means a minimum wage employee with $600 to their name is guaranteed maximum points for wealth. Thank Alden for that one.

  10. Anonymous says:

    CNS – I do not believe your statement that the process was derailed as a result of a legal challenge to be correct. Even after that was all resolved, the authorities failed to act for years. Invisible hands, rather than court challenges, formed the basis for most delays. There never was any reason not to grant PR to applicants scoring at least 110 points. The court challenges were primarily to force the authorities to operate the system, not to stop them from doing so.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are too kind to CNS. This is totally dishonest reporting. The legal challenges didn’t hold up the process; they are the only thing that got it moving. This article is either ignorant or dishonest. Either way CNS should correct or delete it. Even the headline is misleading. Yes 500 in 2017, covering 2014, 15, 16 and 17…

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      • Just Sayin' says:

        The headlines are all intended as click bait. You must be new here, we only come for the comments.

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