Minister Tackling updates the public on immigration, police, customs, victim support

GREAT BAY--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has provided an update on the work of the Ministry of Justice, emphasizing that the daily operations of the justice chain have continued uninterrupted while the Ministry also remained engaged in important international and Kingdom-level cooperation.

Minister Tackling said the Ministry has remained active on multiple fronts over the past several weeks, with continued work in immigration services, policing, customs enforcement, victim support, detention reform, border management and institutional strengthening.

“The work of strengthening public safety, improving our institutions, reforming detention, modernizing our systems, supporting victims and protecting our borders is ongoing,” Minister Tackling said. “The Ministry of Justice remains fully engaged in that work, and we will continue to keep the public informed as these initiatives progress.”

Immigration and Border Protection Services

Minister Tackling said Immigration and Border Protection Services, IBPS, continues to carry out its responsibilities in support of border management, immigration services and public safety.

In addition to its operational duties, IBPS is preparing for several important developments that will impact applicants, employers and other stakeholders.

The Minister encouraged members of the public, employers and other stakeholders to attend an upcoming Employment and Residence Permit Information Session on June 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Government Administration Building, Rooms 1 and 2.

During the session, IBPS will provide information on employment and residence permit procedures. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the application process. Registration will take place at the door, and seating will be limited.

Minister Tackling also announced that the Ministry is advancing the modernization of immigration services through the FMS system, which is now in its final stages of implementation. The project is approaching its scheduled go-live phase, with final preparations currently underway.

Once operational, the system is expected to support more efficient permit processing, improved record management and the continued modernization of immigration services.

Police Force of St. Maarten

The Police Force of St. Maarten, KPSM, continues to carry out enforcement operations aimed at addressing violent crime, illegal firearms, narcotics-related offenses and other threats to public safety.

Through ongoing investigations, targeted operations and visible policing efforts, KPSM remains actively engaged in managing public order and strengthening community safety across the island.

Minister Tackling said these efforts form part of the broader work of the justice chain to protect residents, respond to security concerns and maintain public confidence.

Customs Department

The Customs Department continues to strengthen border controls and enforcement efforts across St. Maarten.

Customs officers have intensified operational activities at ports of entry, marinas and border points, while maintaining a visible enforcement presence throughout the community.

According to the Minister, these efforts are aimed at improving compliance, reinforcing border security and maintaining a proactive posture against illicit activity.

Victim Support Services

Minister Tackling also highlighted the continued work of Victim Support Services, particularly in support of victims of crime, domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

Recent participation in the Victim Support Europe Conference provided opportunities for learning, collaboration and the exchange of best practices with professionals from across Europe. Discussions reinforced the importance of maintaining a victim-centered approach throughout the justice process and the continued need for strong coordination across the justice chain.

Locally, Victim Support Services has continued its Power to Change Women’s Support Group and welcomed regional partners from the No Más No More network as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen responses to domestic violence and gender-based violence throughout the Dutch Caribbean.

Ongoing Reform and Institutional Strengthening

Minister Tackling said she remains encouraged by the dedication of the professionals working throughout the justice chain.

“While challenges remain, meaningful progress is being made across a number of areas, often quietly and without headlines,” she said.

The Minister said the Ministry will continue its work to improve public safety, strengthen institutions, modernize systems, support victims, protect borders and advance detention reform.

International and Kingdom-Level Engagements

While local operations continued, Minister Tackling also represented St. Maarten during a series of international and Kingdom-level engagements in Trinidad, Vienna and the Netherlands.

These engagements focused on issues directly relevant to St. Maarten, including financial crime, youth violence prevention, illegal firearms, cybercrime, border management, detention reform, rehabilitation and reintegration, and institutional strengthening.

At the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, CFATF, meetings in Trinidad, discussions focused on St. Maarten’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework.

Minister Tackling said this work is important because it directly impacts the integrity and reputation of St. Maarten’s financial sector and, by extension, confidence in the wider economy. While progress made over the past year was recognized, she said it was also clear that significant work remains to address outstanding deficiencies and successfully exit the current follow-up process.

A key message from the CFATF Secretariat was that although St. Maarten’s next evaluation is scheduled for 2032, preparation cannot wait until then. The readiness window opens much earlier, and meaningful preparation must begin soon for the country to achieve a successful outcome in 2032.

The Ministry has already begun taking steps to position St. Maarten for this next phase. In the coming period, it will continue working with local, Kingdom and international partners to strengthen coordination, address outstanding gaps and ensure the necessary foundations are in place ahead of the next evaluation cycle.

United Nations Engagement in Vienna

In Vienna, Minister Tackling attended bilateral and tripartite meetings with United Nations experts and contributed to the international dialogue through two side events held during the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

During a session focused on advancing access to justice for women through the implementation of the Bangkok Rules, the Minister highlighted the importance of gender-responsive justice systems. She emphasized the need to ensure that rehabilitation, reintegration, mental health support and family connections form part of justice responses for women and girls.

The Bangkok Rules are a set of 70 international standards adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. They outline the distinct needs of female offenders and prisoners and how those needs should be addressed, recognizing that standard prison systems are typically designed for men.

Minister Tackling also participated in a side event on penal reform in island contexts, where she shared St. Maarten’s experience under the Detention Sector Reform Program and discussed the opportunities and challenges the country faces as it pursues detention reform.

“These engagements provided an important opportunity to ensure that our experiences and perspectives remain part of broader international discussions on criminal justice reform,” the Minister said.

Working Visit to the Netherlands

The working visit to the Netherlands built directly on many of the discussions that took place in Vienna.

While the Commission in Vienna focused on broader international developments and emerging challenges, the meetings in the Netherlands allowed St. Maarten to explore how those discussions can translate into practical support, expertise and cooperation.

Conversations focused on youth crime prevention, illegal firearms, customs modernization, border management, financial intelligence, detention reform, rehabilitation and institutional capacity building.

Minister Tackling also visited two correctional facilities in the Netherlands and met directly with St. Maarteners currently serving sentences abroad. She said those conversations provided valuable insight into rehabilitation, reintegration and the challenges faced by persons preparing to eventually return to society.

“The purpose of these visits was not simply to attend meetings,” Minister Tackling said. “It was to ensure that St. Maarten remains connected to the expertise, knowledge, insights and partnerships that can help inform future decision-making, strengthen our justice sector and support ongoing reform efforts across the board.”

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