(iWitness News) Lawmakers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have amended the citizenship law to allow for “second-generation Vincentians” born overseas to be considered for citizenship.
Currently, under the Constitution, a person is automatically a Vincentian at birth — regardless of where they are born — if the person has at least one parent who was born in SVG.
The new law, which was passed with bipartisan support, makes it possible for grandchildren of people born in SVG to be considered for citizenship on application, if that grandchild is born outside of SVG.
In presenting the bill to Parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves rejected the view that the change in the law would result in a flood of people coming to SVG to live.
“We do not see that as something which is a realistic one,” said Gonsalves, who has ministerial responsibility for citizenship matters.
