Deputy Premier Hon. Sean Astwood hasoutlined plans to develop a more strategic approach to border control in theTurks and Caicos Islands, emphasizing a unified, multi-agency effort tostrengthen national security. Speaking at the first press conference of thenewly elected People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Government on January 18,2017, Astwood announced that the government will leverage the National AdvisorySecurity Council to craft a comprehensive strategy that integratescollaboration between key agencies, such as Immigration, Customs, and thePolice Force. This plan aligns with the PDM’s manifesto commitments to improveborder security through coordination and shared resources.

Astwood confirmed that the first SecurityCouncil meeting was scheduled for January 27, 2017, to kickstart discussions onsecuring necessary funding and implementing actionable measures. He emphasizedthat the plan would focus on pooling agency expertise under new initiatives andprograms to deliver a more effective and sustainable response to borderchallenges. Recognizing the critical role of technology, Astwood highlightedthe importance of enhancing existing tools, such as the radar system, which hecredited with significantly reducing undetected illegal entries. "Theradar system has been magnificent in its performance, but we acknowledge theneed for its expansion to further improve its coverage and effectiveness,"he stated.

These strategic efforts mark the beginningof the PDM government’s broader vision for modernized border control in TCI. Byfostering collaboration across agencies and investing in expanded capabilities,the government aims to address vulnerabilities in the nation's defenses, curbillegal migration, and strengthen national security. Astwood reiterated thegovernment's commitment to ensuring that resources and technology are alignedwith the overarching goal of protecting TCI’s borders and maintaining public safety.