Governor Orders Deportation of Jody-Ann Thomas
A deportation order has been issued against Jody-Ann Sherene Thomas after her conviction for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The order was signed by Governor Pruce on June 22, 2026 and gazetted on June 23, 2026 under the Immigration and Passport Act.
A deportation order has been issued for Jody-Ann Sherene Thomas following her conviction on a charge of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. Thomas was charged in January 2024 and was subsequently convicted and imprisoned. The deportation order was made by Governor Pruce on June 22, 2026 and was published in the official Gazette on June 23, 2026.
The action is taken under section 40(1)(b) of the Immigration and Passport Act (Revised Edition 2013), which gives the Governor the power to require a person who is not deemed to belong to the Territory to leave the British Virgin Islands if the Governor becomes aware the person has been convicted of an offence under the Act or any other offence in the Territory punishable by imprisonment for three months or more.
The provision allows the Governor to fix a time for the person to leave and to require that they remain outside the Territory thereafter. The public Gazette notice does not disclose Thomas’s nationality or the timeframe she has been given to depart. Deportation orders of this kind are typically enforced by the Immigration Department and are recorded in the Gazette as part of the Territory’s immigration administration.
For residents and employers in the BVI, this case underscores the practical application of immigration law when non‑Belonging persons are convicted of criminal offences. Deportation orders can affect workplaces, households and community ties when foreign nationals employed or residing in the Territory are required to depart.
Individuals subject to deportation orders generally have the option of seeking legal advice and, where appropriate, pursuing judicial review or other legal challenges in court. Those concerned about a specific case should consult an immigration lawyer or contact the Immigration Department for guidance on enforcement procedures and timelines.
The Gazette notice is a public record; further details about enforcement or any appeal will be reported as they become available.
Primary source: VINO