A total of 115 individuals were officially naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) during ceremonies held at Government House on June 16 and 17.

During both events, attendees received congratulatory remarks from His Excellency the Governor Daniel Pruce, Acting Premier Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, and Registrar General Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.

Governor Pruce addressed the newly naturalised citizens by acknowledging the importance of diversity in the Virgin Islands. “The shared values in our community include respect and concern for others who are less fortunate, or simply those who are considered to be different,” he said. “Perhaps, when you first came here, you felt different yourself. But, as the Bible reminds us, you shall love the stranger, for you were once strangers in the land.”

Acting Premier Fraser welcomed the recipients into the Virgin Islands community. “I am overjoyed to see individuals who have contributed to the success of the Virgin Islands reach this pivotal milestone in their lives,” he said.

Registrar General O’Flaherty-Maduro reminded the new citizens of the responsibilities that come with BOTC status. “As you take on the honour of becoming British Overseas Territories Citizens, you are now entrusted with the responsibility to uphold and respect the rule of law, to contribute to the peace, order, and good governance of our society, and to act with integrity in all that you do,” she said.

She further noted, “It is also a reminder that citizenship comes with the privilege of participation, having a voice in the future of your community, and a responsibility to help protect and preserve the very things that make these islands special—our culture, our sense of community, our peaceful way of life, and the legacy we will leave for the next generation.”

Naturalisation under the British Nationality Act, 1981, allows eligible individuals to be granted BOTC status upon meeting specific legal criteria.

The newly naturalised citizens are: Angelia Regenia Abbensetts, Dailia Arondell Arondia Alexander, Juan Daniel Ramirez Alvarez, Lenin Michel Peguero Amadiz, Shernette Baldy, Charn Monica Theresa Dublin-Benn, Habahkuk Emmanuel Benn, Blanchette Rudolph Bloice, Merlyn Jessica Brown, Hayden Valentine Chance, Aligino Kengino Charles, Audrice L.A. Francois-Charles, Fate Michelle Bernedette Charles, Walter Alexander Charles, Eda Charles, Yijun Chen, Sharon Annmarie Morgan Cyrus, Romano Shane David, Kimberly Tonian Drummonds, Shanna Yvonda Shannica Dublin, Florisca Dupuis, Clenia Rafaela Herrera De Faulkner, Kelly-Ann April Fortune, Brenda Angella Francis, Carmen Mae Francis, Elaine Grant Francis, Chandralakah Gansaw, Kumar Gansaw, Dianna Adelice Semonita George, Joycelyn Jessica Gordon, Charmaine Mercedes Hamilton, Kayon Harper, Melica Camille De-Grilla Harrigan, Berthelina Henry, Jude Roger Henry, Maria Altagracia Vidal Herrera, Iman Husein, Gawain Sean James, Roslyn Iyna Samuel-John, Linda Johnson, Kadeema R. Hernandez Johnney, Everest Peter Joseph, Kumarie Ajodia Karran, Navin Karran, Preta Devi Karran, Dequan Donnick Latouche, Ann Marie Lawrence, Ellanando Jeremiah Levy, Anthony Lewis, Hyacinth Veronica Lewis, Anne Alix Linton, Charles Anthony Luckham, Dhanmattie Luckham, Vincent Maglorie, Juliette Hypolite McCall, Lesroy Shandell Simmons, Natakie Kysha S. Douglas Simmons, Huifang Wu, Juan Cecilio Vanterpool Acosta, Paula Melrose Ajarie, Curt Alexander Archibald, Aline Catherine Henry-Chastenet, Desiree Ina Laureen Daniels, Rennicks Claudius Etienne, Valda John John Baptiste-Etienne, Jose Alejandro Alcala Faulkner, Marbelly Anavelly Daniel Garcia, Yeiby Shamil Daniel Garcia, Sharon Claudine Henry, Marlyn Patricia Holder, Newtol Dexter Sylvester Holder, Sylvia Rose Lenore Alexander-James, Jeremy Finbar Jeremiah, Pamella Locelia Lewis-Johnson, Indar Karran, Winnette Alexis Lawrence, Deborah Isabelle Leslie, Dalma Checo Lopez, Samantha Adella McFarlane-Martin, Cristian Antonio Rymer Mason, Sallian Avalon McMillan, Nadine Melody Mitchell, Shirley Rosanna Sanchez Neddall, Daniel Agustus Oconnor, Colin Kevin Ollivierre, Anthony Ian Palmer, Sonia Palmer, Wayne Junior Palmer, Mayra Esther Paulino Paulino, Noel Aldonso Hernandez Pena, Lindsay Fitz Herbert Pereira, Neckisea Daciea Pickering, Keila Virginia Rabsatt, Arona Maureen Ragunath, Brynley Brooke Argast-Rathbun, Sydney Michael Richardson, Sidann Candice Walker-Roach, Rosanna Elizabeth Rodriguez, Dominga Ruiz, Chris Anthony Shaw, Denise Sandy Shipley, Peter Dave Sinclair, Raphael Anthony Singh, Shameena Anjoli Singh, Clifford Arnold Stoddard, Mereen Mary Stoddard, Vielka Del Carmen Soto Thomas, Bhem Tillack, Nurys Melania Paulino Vanterpool, Andrea Allison Walters, Deniston Alista Dillon Williams, Desmond Damion Lebert Williams, James Livian Williams, Merell Garricks-Williams, and Faustina Ynold Pipe-Wyllie.