HSM LAW
Trump v Barbara: Why Birthright Citizenship Still Matters in Cayman
A U.S. case with a Cayman history behind it At first glance, Trump v Barbara looks like a purely American case. It concerns President Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship under the United States Fourteenth Amendment. Cayman does not have Read more +
Cayman Islands Immigration Update – June 2026: An Act of Unintended Consequences, New Work Permit Conditions and Statistics
When the Cayman Islands Government proposed changes to the Immigration Law, released last year, there was one change that stood out and that was the proposed changes to Section 64 of the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision). This was the Read more +
Cayman Kind and Compassion: A Question for the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board
Over the past 24 months, HSM Chambers have dealt with two cases involving individuals who obtained the Right to be Caymanian through marriage. In both cases, the Caymanian spouse subsequently passed away before three years had elapsed from the grant Read more +
Cayman Immigration: Section 64 Update
In a press release dated 15 April 2026, the Ministry of Caymanian Employment and Immigration announced: ”The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2025 introduces updated rules for work permit holders changing jobs, effective 1 May 2026. Work permit holders Read more +
Aspects of Law Relating to Border Control Found to be Incompatible with Bill of Rights
On 8 October 2020, the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands, affirmed the earlier Judgment of Williams J in finding that Section 82 of the Immigration Law (2015 Revision) and Section 109 of the Customs and Border Control Law, 2018 are incompatible with the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights.
The Judgment in the case of Ellington v Chief Immigration Officer, in which Mr Alastair David of HSM Chambers represented Mr Ellington both before the Grand Court and Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands made it clear that the previous Law in respects to Prohibited Immigrants and its current incarnation are incompatible with the Bill of Rights and in particular the right to the family and private life.
It is hoped that this decision will lead to a much needed change in the Law which will lead to clarity in how the relevant authorities deal with Prohibited Immigrants. The Court of Appeal noted with some concern that there are no directives or rules governing Prohibited Immigrants and it is hoped that this will also be addressed shortly. Furthermore, it is also hoped that at the same time thoughts can be given to amending other sections of the Immigration Law which may be incompatible with the Bill of Rights.
Click here to read more details on The Effect of Ellington v Chief Immigration Officer of the Cayman Islands.