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Two Deputies are making an urgent bid to have the definition of “family” expanded in Jersey to help more Ukrainians flee to safety with their island families.
Jersey currently has to follow rules set by the UK Government – but Inna Gardiner and Jess Perchard want Jersey’s Government to lobby them for a bespoke solution for the island.
Deputy Perchard has put forward a proposition asking the States Assembly to officially instruct the Ministers for External Relations and Home Affairs to seek agreement from the UK Government for the definition of “relative” to apply to “extended family members”.
The proposal also asks for Ministers to request that UK authorities allow people displaced from Ukraine with relatives in Jersey to gain “immediate access to the island on a temporary emergency basis” over the next six months, and allow them to stay at least one year after the date of their arrival.
She has requested that it is urgently debated this afternoon by States Members. A ruling on whether that can happen is yet to be made.
Pictured: The Deputies want the proposition to be urgently debated by States Members today.
It comes after Ukrainian islanders told Express of their heartbreak and "horror" at the idea of leaving their nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins in the war zone. Among them were a Ukrainian couple who lived in Jersey who had not yet received their British citizenship, who queried whether this would be a hurdle for their family.
Deputy Inna Gardiner has been in close contact with Jersey’s Ukrainian community since Russia began its assault on Ukraine last week.
While Deputy Inna Gardiner said she and members of the community welcomed yesterday’s move to widen eligibility for ‘fast-track’ visas to Ukrainian islanders’ fleeing parents, grandparents and siblings, who will in turn be able to bring their spouses and children, she said that the definition of “relative” remained problematic. Aunts, uncles and cousins remain excluded.
"They have all lived together through the nightmare," she said.
She lauded Immigration officials for “working really hard” to assist as many Ukrainian islanders families in need as possible within Jersey's existing legal framework, but noted that more people could be helped if UK restrictions could be loosened.
Pictured: Deputy Inna Gardiner and Deputy Perchard worked on the proposal together.
In a report explaining her proposition, which was developed alongside Deputy Gardiner, Deputy Perchard said: “We have the capacity to take a decision ourselves on what we want to be able to offer. This is especially relevant given that those fleeing Ukraine can reach the French border via the Schengen Area.
“Currently, some children are being excluded from accessing Jersey with adults who are eligible to come here. This isn’t hypothetical; we have real Jersey examples of this happening now. This proposition gives the Government the instruction to liaise with the UK in order to rectify this exclusion.
“All of this is said with the understanding that, due to our relationship with the UK in relation to our immigration policies, the success of our ambitions will be largely dictated by the Minister’s ability to liaise and negotiate outcomes with the UK Government."
External Relations Minister Senator Ian Gorst said yesterday that he personally felt the definition of "eligible" family members provided by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel "remains too narrow".
However, he added: "It's far easier for me to stand in this place to say that because we have few Ukrainian nationals - we have probably less than 50, therefore a broadening for them to bring family members and cast the family definition wider is something I believe islanders will support."
Deputy Jess Perchard described her proposition to Express as “an opportunity for States Members to make clear their commitment to providing safety to the family members of local Jersey residents.”
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