Governor Orders Deportation of Devender Chitnarine
Governor Daniel Pruce has issued a formal deportation order against Devender Chitnarine after deeming his presence in the territory undesirable. The non-belonger had previously been arrested and charged in November 2023 with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The decision was published in the Official Gazette following consultations with the Chief Immigration Officer.
Governor Daniel Pruce has issued a formal deportation order against Devender Chitnarine, determining that the individual's continued presence in the Virgin Islands is undesirable and not conducive to the public good. The directive was officially executed through Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 61, dated October 15, and subsequently published in the Official Gazette on October 20.
According to the published document, Chitnarine was deemed not to belong to the territory under local immigration legislation. The Governor made the order acting after official consultation with the Chief Immigration Officer, following established statutory procedures that govern the removal of non-belongers from the territory.
Police records show that Chitnarine was previously arrested and charged by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on November 27, 2023, for the offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The gazetted instrument did not disclose the nationality or country of origin of Chitnarine.
Under territorial law, deportation orders mandate the departure of non-belongers whose actions or presence are determined to pose a threat to public safety, good governance, or the general welfare of the community. Once a deportation order is signed and published, immigration authorities are empowered to oversee the subject's departure or facilitate detention and removal.
The Governor's Office and the Department of Immigration routinely review cases involving non-belongers implicated in violent crimes or serious legal infractions to determine whether continued residency remains tenable.
Primary source: VINO