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Author Topic: Refugees & Illegals in T&T Thread.  (Read 33110 times)

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Offline AB.Trini

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #90 on: November 08, 2014, 08:26:36 AM »
This no brainier plan should be easy- start with all those who were brought in from Guyana to pad the votes in previous elections. Lol

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #91 on: November 11, 2014, 12:59:32 PM »
send all ah them back..........keep the colombians,they are very HARD workin young women.

 :rotfl: :rotfl:
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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #92 on: November 11, 2014, 01:03:44 PM »
I wonder what areas are the immigration dept. canvassing.

 :frustrated: this is they bright plan?

I think its a good plan. One-month window for illegals to come forward. If not, then no one can complain when they get the boot.
Immigration into the country should be promoted and encouraged considering our lackluster population growth projection.
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Offline Socapro

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Discrimination against African immigrants
« Reply #93 on: November 13, 2014, 04:11:56 PM »
Discrimination against African immigrants
By JULIEN NEAVES Thursday, November 13 2014 (T&T Newsday)

EMANCIPATION Support Committee chairman (ESC) Khafra Kambon yesterday alleged discrimination against undocumented migrants from Africa compared to other immigrants.


He made the claim while speaking at a media conference at the ESC offices in Maraval, accompanied by the wives of former and current detained undocumented African migrants.

Kambon said there should be equality of treatment for all undocumented migrants, but evidence shows, “particular discrimination in the treatment of migrants from the continent of Africa.”

He noted that National Security Minister Gary Griffith had recently announced an “amnesty” or opportunity for undocumented migrants to be registered and assessed so a determination can be made if they can stay in the country. He said while this was taking place there are 27 African migrants at the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo and the State was making preparations to charter a plane to take these migrants home.

Kambon stressed that it was discriminatory to have an open door to other undocumented migrants, but to “shut the door on those already in detention.” He said the bulk of detainees are from Caricom countries and claimed treatment of these Caribbean migrants has “deteriorated.”

He said there had been two trends in the conversation by Griffith and he had been linking undocumented migrants with crime and fake marriages. He noted that the issue could be discussed without smearing the reputations of people who are victims.

He showed photos of bloodied African immigrants at the Immigration Detention Centre who had been allegedly beaten including 40 year-old Time Kings from Nigeria, who was subsequently released.

He said an impression is given that the ESC wants all undocumented migrants (they prefer this term to illegal immigrants), to have open borders and particularly African migrants but this was not the case. He pointed out that the ESC has sent correspondence over the years recommending deportation of illegal immigrants rather than indefinite detention, “which is against human rights.”

Kambon noted one case of a man detained for 34 months whose wife died a few months after he was first detained and his three children being placed in foster homes. Attorney Fareed Scoon, who is representing Ghanian Musah Ibrahim in a deportation case, said there is an “institutional difference” in the way certain nationalities are treated by the Immigration Division and this was a “policy decision.” He pointed out that Section 5 of the Immigration Act states that once an undocumented immigrant marries a citizen they are eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Scoon said this country should establish a migration policy. He claimed that there were multinational restaurants that had been recruiting hundreds of workers from Guyana and bringing them into this country and they were being granted permits. He also claimed that promises had been made to the Syrian community that migrating Syrians would be provided with Trinidad and Tobago passports.

“Why the same courtesies not extended to Africans,” he asked.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #94 on: December 08, 2014, 04:28:01 AM »
Late-night legal battle fails to stop deportation of 15 illegal Ghanaian migrants
By Anna Ramdass (Express).


BACK TO AFRICA

A Caribbean Airlines (CAL) plane was chartered at a cost of $2.6 million to deport illegal immigrants back to Ghana yesterday following a marathon 12 hours of hearings before the High Court and Court of Appeal on Saturday in a bid to stop the flight.

CAL flight 763 departed Piarco International Airport around 7 a.m. yesterday with approximately 15 illegal immigrants from Ghana and some 12 Special Branch officers on board.

Before the flight, lawyers for the State—Gerald Ramdeen and deputy Solicitor General Neil Byam—as well as attorneys for some of the immigrants, Faris Scoon and Richard Isaac, had battled before the court in Port of Spain, first at the High Court from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and then to the Court of Appeal from 2 a.m to 5.45 a.m.
Legal sources told the Express that these sittings were extremely exceptional as they were known in the past to occur for death penalty matters, where warrants of execution were challenged to stop the death penalty from being carried out.

The court hearings took hours because each was heard individually, with the exception on one.
There were five applications for judicial review from Ghanaians Abdul Raheem Suleiman, Henry Mensah, Ernest Aglago (these two were heard together as one application), Abdullah Pechie, Olatunji Thomas Adams and Richard Osoir Appiah.

Mensah and Aglago, who have been illegally in Trinidad since 2005 and who attempted to seek refugee status from the United Nations through the Living Waters community, stating that they were fearful of returning to Ghana because of the Ebola virus.

Ghanaian Seibu Abdulai made an application for habeas corpus.

The men tried to challenge the deportation order of the Chief Immigration Officer but failed at the High Court.

Justice Ricky Rahim rejected their applications and also ruled that they pay the State’s legal costs.
Their attorneys immediately appealed Justice Rahim’s ruling and proceeded to the Court of Appeal, where Justice Gregory Smith heard the matter and also dismissed all the applications and ordered that the deportation order be executed.

Following Justice Smith’s orders the men were immediately whisked away to Piarco, where the CAL plane was waiting to take them to Ghana.

AG: NONE ABOVE THE LAW

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told the Express yesterday that the action by the State was warranted and stressed that there was no witch hunt against immigrants.

“The rule of law has prevailed and the process was followed. A historic emergency session of the High Court and Court of the Appeal was necessary to avoid any further delay and unwarranted expenditure that can surpass $2 million,” he said.

Ramlogan justified the $2.6 million private charter, saying that it was difficult to get visas for these men to travel back to Ghana through commercial flights as countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Brazil did not want to grant the intransit visas.

“This is not a witch hunt, we are asking persons to come forward and we are providing them with the opportunity to be regularised,” said Ramlogan.

The AG said some illegal immigrants have a track record related to criminal activities.

He said one of the persons who applied for judicial review travelled to the United Kingdom and was held in England for transporting drugs from Trinidad.

Ramlogan said that person was sent back to Trinidad after he served his sentence in the UK.
“Our intelligence suggests that there are many dimensions to this problem, including links to the gangs, drugs, arms and other crimes that have plagued our society.”

Ramlogan said the State will remain flexible and open in hearing each case and will be fair based on the evidence provided.

However, he said, no attempts to misuse this country’s immigrations laws as a cover for criminal activities will be tolerated.

Asked about the cost to charter the plane, the AG said: “We had no choice in the matter, in law it is the home country that is responsible for the cost of repatriation, unfortunately there are countries that refuse to pay and it becomes a burden on our taxpayers.

“Suffice it to say, no one is above the law and all illegal immigrants will be treated in the same manner.”
He also disclosed that a new gambling and betting law was being drafted.

Ramlogan said this will pay special attention to the numerous casinos and restaurants that have been popping up all over the country and manned by an influx of Chinese immigrants.

He said there was a parallel system whereby these casinos were eating into the National Lotteries Control Board’s (NLCB) business in an illegal manner and, under these new laws, the matter would be examined and dealt with under a microscope.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #95 on: December 09, 2014, 02:48:53 AM »
REBELS IN OUR LAND
By Anna Ramdass (Express).


2013: Special Branch warned ex-minister Warner of ‘serious threat’ posed by 66 Nigerian students in T&T

Nigerian rebels who were involved in military attacks against the Nigerian government spent a year in this country as tourism students.
This occurred even though the head of the Special Branch had raised a red flag and advised that they be sent back to their country as they posed a serious security threat to Trinidad and Tobago.
The issue of illegal immigrants has gripped national attention over the past few weeks, but since last year security intelligence agencies were probing the issue and wrote to former national security minister Jack Warner raising alarm about the 66 Nigerians, advising that they could cause havoc in this country.
The Express obtained a copy of the secret letter, dated March 27, 2013, to Warner from the head of the Special Branch in which he stated that the Nigerians were former combatants who were involved in numerous military attacks against Nigerian government oil installations located in the Niger Delta region, which led to the total shutdown of that country’s oil production.
Noting that the Nigerians were carded to be in Trinidad for one year, the officer stated: “They can be easily assimilated into the society and have the ability to assist others to create disastrous havoc in this country. These are experienced, violent militants and, as such, I wish to emphasise that their arrival should be considered a serious threat to our national security. In light of this, serious consideration should be given in having these individuals returned to their country and in the interim closely monitored.”
The Express contacted Warner yesterday, but he said he could not recall the letter.
However, commenting on the current deportation of illegal immigrants, Warner said his style would have been different and he would have been “more humane”.
Sources told the Express that some of the 66 Nigerians had caused serious trouble whilst they were here and on occasions the police were called in to quell situations which turned violent as they fought among themselves and created disturbances in the areas in which they stayed.
They entered this country under a government to government arrangement where they were to come here and be trained at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute in conjunction with the National Energy Skills Centre.
The Special Branch head, in his letter to Warner, indicated that in their investigations of these Nigerians, a letter was found in their possession purported to be from the office of the special adviser to the President of Niger Delta, Nigeria, Kingsley Kuku, to the comptroller general of the Nigerian immigration service headquarters.
The Express also obtained a copy of this confidential letter.
The letter stated the Nigerians were former combattants who were involved in numerous attacks against the Nigerian government oil installations located in the Delta region and their actions had almost led to the total shutdown of that country’s oil production.
The document stated that they were granted amnesty and had undergone non-violent transformational training at the Presidential Amnesty Demobilisation camp in Nigeria.
The Special Branch head informed Warner that the move to send these Nigerians to Trinidad was questionable and suspicions as there were numerous hospitality institutes in Nigeria while there were only two in this country.
The officer stated that within the last four to five years successive Nigerian governments have had to cope with an upsurge of terrorist attacks and the proliferation of new militant groups and they were willing to use violence to highlight the socio-economic and religious plight they faced.
“...One may reasonably conclude that the Nigerian authorities through its bilateral agreement with other countries was using these measures to rid their country of persons who are deemed to be a threat to the security of their country,” stated the Special Branch head.
He also indicated that the presence of the 66 Nigerians in this country potentially posed an immediate threat to the national security as law enforcement continues to grapple with the scourge of criminal activity.
The Express understands that the 66 Nigerians left Trinidad after their training was completed, but there were challenges during their stay and difficulty to get them to leave.

GRIFFITH: SEVERAL
RED FLAGS RAISED


National Security Minister Gary Griffith told the Express that he was aware of the letter that was sent to Warner and said that this was just one of several red flags that were raised.
Griffith reiterated that national security intelligence has found that there is a direct correlation to some illegal immigrants and criminal activities in this country.
He said he was not deeming all illegal immigrants as national security threats but there are some who pose a risk to the nation and that is why the Ministry is intent on clamping down on the situation and offering regularisation of status.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #96 on: December 09, 2014, 02:52:49 AM »
WE NOT RACIST
By SEAN DOUGLAS (Newsday).


THE deportation of African nationals last Sunday was not motivated by racism because Chinese and Indian illegal immigrants are also routinely detained and deported, Minister of National Security Gary Griffith said yesterday.

His defence of the deportation of 11 African illegal immigrants came after Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) head Khafra Kambon claimed it was inhumane to send the men back to Africa penniless, with just the shirts on their backs and without time to say goodbye to their grieving wives and children, left behind in this country.

Meanwhile, one man who fell through the deportation net was said by Kambon to be on “sick leave” of sorts. Told by this, Minister Griffith said that person once located can be deported and banned from future entry to TT.

Griffith’s statement yesterday came on the heel of ESC claims of the Immigration Division “unfairly” targetting Africans for deportation. “The Minister has noted that certain activists are again attempting to incite an emotional response to the subject matter,” Griffith said in a statement sent to the media.

“While that is their right as activists, any attempt to coerce the authorities into actions that subvert the rule of law is ultimately doomed to fail as this is a country built on the rule of law.”

Griffith also spoke with Newsday via phone from New York City where he is currently on State business.

He said in addition to illegal entry to TT, some deportees had committed offences such as working without a work-permit. “So as much as I understand and applaud Mr Kambon in what he is trying to do, we have to look at each case individually and we have to look at the individual. So the person who has absconded — when he is apprehended and shipped back, he will never be allowed re-entry into Trinidad.”

While there is no amnesty, Griffith said he is giving a window of opportunity for illegal immigrants to apply to regularise their status, so as to avoid them being a drain on the public purse or getting into crime, but instead become law-abiding taxpayers.

“If you do not use this window, we’ll close that window and everyone else after that period will be deported if they are illegal immigrants.” He bemoaned businessmen who exploited illegal immigrants in their hire by imposing punitive fines for infractions so as to withhold their money, without redress to the police/courts.

“So it meant something equated with indentured labour, if not slavery. I could not turn a blind eye to this.” He urged businessmen to get their immigrants regularised. “This is not about profiling. There is no set of prejudice in this. This is a matter - regardless of whether you are from China, India, Africa or Mars - if you are breaking the law, if you are an illegal immigrant, you would be deported.”

Griffith said some businessmen are upset at him tackling illegal immigration as they make lots of money by trafficking in persons, with the irony being that many Africans are hired by security companies.

He said based on initiatives in the last year, TT has been upgraded in the human-trafficking ratings from “tier two” watch list to “tier two” list.

He dismissed claims that only Africans are targetted but not nationals from China and India. “It’s a very childish statement. Some people are stating there are Indians here who have been working on Expo, but the point is that these persons have work-permits,” said Griffith.

“All you need to do is comply with the requirements stipulated in the laws of Trinidad and Tobago to have a temporary work-permit, a visa, a minister’s work permit or an exempt and that will be afforded to you.”

Again he flatly denied any racial profiling in the deportations. “So persons from anywhere in the world, if you land in TT prior to your arrival you do similar to what the actions being made about certain people from China and India. They have come forward, made the request and have a work-permit which gives them the authorisation to remain in TT, based on temporary employment or on being regularised.

“If it is that they didn’t do that, many persons from China and India would have also been deported.

“So it has nothing to do with ethnic composition or anything along that line. It has to do with if you’re breaking the law and you don’t come forward to make a request for a visa, minister’s permit or work permit, and we find that you are working and have gone outside the time stipulated for you to remain in the country, you are deemed an illegal immigrant.

Contrary to what Mr Kambon has said, how could it be profiling when (just) two percent of the persons repatriated this year are from Africa, Griffith asked. “What about the other 98 percent comprising persons from the Caribbean, North America, Europe, China, India? Well they’ve all been repatriated, and there was never a concern about it. It’s just that Mr Kambon is more vociferous than most. How can he look at two percent (from Africa) and say that there is racial discrimination? There isn’t,” Griffith said.

Griffith, in his statement, said his Ministry’s mandate is to secure and protect the entire nation and its borders and points of entry, inclusive of tackling illegal immigration.

Kambon reported that Musah Ibrahim is still ill after his 19-month detention and his wife would likely submit a medical certificate to the Immigration Division to explain his absence last Friday when he avoided being caught in a dragnet, which saw 11 African nationals being deported.

Kambon told Newsday he will not pry into Ibrahim’s business but said he would not advise anyone to go underground and live like a rat in evading the authorities.

However he hoped Ibrahim would not be deported, saying this would leave a child fatherless in TT.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #97 on: December 09, 2014, 03:12:51 AM »
2 Chinese nationals ordered out of TT
By AZARD ALI (Newsday).


A DAY AFTER 11 African nationals were deported to Ghana, two Chinese nationals appeared in court yesterday charged with illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago. The Chinese couple, Jian Sheng Wo, 33, and Weijuan Huang, 29, are expected to be deported later this week by Immigration authorities, following their conviction in the San Fernando Magistrates’ court yesterday.

Sheng Wo and Huang, who are from Guang Dong Province, China were arrested last week Wednesday by police officers of the Penal Police Station. The couple was handed over to Immigration authorities and the charge was laid against them for illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

Yesterday, Sheng Wo and Huang were handcuffed and brought in an unmarked police vehicle assigned to the Immigration Office in San Fernando.

Newsday learnt that police investigators had been, since the arrest of the Chinese couple, probing how the couple arrived in Trinidad.

WPC Hema Singh of the Immigration Office, San Fernando laid the charge against the couple. Sheng Wo and Huang were taken before Magistrate Margaret Alert in the Fourth Court and when the case was called, she read the charge.

An interpreter who is of Chinese descent, related to the couple the charge as read by the magistrate. The charge read to both alleged that on November 19, at a place other than an official port of entry, the Chinese couple entered Trinidad and Tobago.

Both Sheng Wo and Huang, through the male Chinese interpreter, pleaded guilty to the offence which was laid contrary to Section 40:1 of the Immigration Act.

The court prosecutor told Alert that on November 19, both Sheng Wo and Huang, were arrested at Sam’s Bar located along Rochard Douglas Road, Penal. The arrest was made by officers of the Penal Police Station and the couple were handed over to Immigration officers.

When asked how they arrived in Trinidad, the prosecutor told the magistrate, Sheng Wo and Huang said they came at a beach.

However, the court heard, the couple who could not speak English fluently were unable to tell what part of the country this beach is located. Alert later fined Sheng Wo $5,000 or in default, seven months imprisonment. He was allowed 30 days to pay the fine.

As for his wife, Alert placed her on a bond of $5,000 to keep the peace for 12 months.

If Huang breaks the bond, she is to serve three months in jail. After the hearing was completed, the couple was handcuffed separately by police officers and taken away in an unmarked vehicle.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #98 on: December 09, 2014, 07:33:47 AM »
Regarding the 66 Nigerian nationals: I heard a much more charitable version from "de horse's mouth". That view asserts that rehabilitation was successful, and that only one of the 66 'apples' was bad ...  a fella who lost a couple fingers via chop for meddling with a married woman.

I gather some of these 66 have moved on to better things, including further studies and life in places like the US.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2014, 12:14:21 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #99 on: December 09, 2014, 07:47:58 AM »
Several years ago firemen in the USVI bounced up a group of dripping wet Chinese nationals who had seemingly just hit the shore. Heard this account from personnel at the nearby airport (which is apparently where they were heading).

Have also heard of activity along the same line in Central America. We are not immune.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2014, 12:56:28 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline Michael-j

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #100 on: December 09, 2014, 10:49:19 AM »
2 Chinese nationals ordered out of TT
By AZARD ALI (Newsday).


A DAY AFTER 11 African nationals were deported to Ghana, two Chinese nationals appeared in court yesterday charged with illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago. The Chinese couple, Jian Sheng Wo, 33, and Weijuan Huang, 29, are expected to be deported later this week by Immigration authorities, following their conviction in the San Fernando Magistrates’ court yesterday.

...

However, the court heard, the couple who could not speak English fluently were unable to tell what part of the country this beach is located. Alert later fined Sheng Wo $5,000 or in default, seven months imprisonment. He was allowed 30 days to pay the fine.

As for his wife, Alert placed her on a bond of $5,000 to keep the peace for 12 months.

If Huang breaks the bond, she is to serve three months in jail. After the hearing was completed, the couple was handcuffed separately by police officers and taken away in an unmarked vehicle.



So wait, wait, wait...they getting deported this week but the man was allowed 30 days to pay his fine?? ...is he coming back to Trinidad to pay it?  Why place the wife on a 12-month bond to keep the peace when in a couple days she will be out of the country for good??
« Last Edit: December 09, 2014, 10:51:50 AM by Michael-j »

Offline Bourbon

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #101 on: December 09, 2014, 11:06:02 AM »
$2.6 million to send back 15 people.


From the official stats:

Quote
People who have overstayed their time in Trinidad and Tobago and have not yet departed:

• Bangladeshis: 167

• Barbadians: 7,169

• Chinese: 4,593

• Colombians: 6,388

• Dominican Republic: 2,256

• Cubans: 1,434

• Grenadians: 6,947

• Guyanese: 25,884

• Indians: 3,651

• Nigerians: 1,071

• Filipinos: 4,437

• St Lucians: 4,391

• St Vincent: 9,606

• Suriname: 1,944

• Venezuelans: 10,574


Source: National Security Ministry


How often are other detainees deported and at what cost? I assuming that the cost is that much because there isnt really an established direct route to the African continent. But since this happens quite often according to the Minister.....how much is spent to do this? Especially as according to the statistics of people who have overstayed their time Nigerians (who, are not the only source of illegal African immigrants) are the second lowest in number.

Now these stats focusing on different aspects eh. These stats presented are of people who overstayed. I assume those who were deported were detention center detainees. Making the (very likely to be ) flawed assumption that the ratio of detainees at the center mimic the ratio of persons that have overstayed....that would be a small portion of the population of detainees.

If not...and they actually occupy a significant portion of inmates at the detention center..what are the contributing factors that have resulted in them being the majority of the detainee population when they may very well be in the minority in terms of over staying time?

This issue isnt that straightforward to me.
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus ;with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #102 on: December 10, 2014, 12:51:04 AM »
Quote
The Express understands that the 66 Nigerians left Trinidad after their training was completed, but there were challenges during their stay and difficulty to get them to leave.

Another group of students from Nigeria ... also from Delta State arrived in the country last week. It's asserted that this group (which has no personnel with combatant experience) should thrive and excel given the opportunity provided. Part of this view is that the rebel group achieved and thrived, thus this non-combatant group is poised to do as well or better.

Quote
The issue of illegal immigrants has gripped national attention over the past few weeks, but since last year security intelligence agencies were probing the issue and wrote to former national security minister Jack Warner raising alarm about the 66 Nigerians, advising that they could cause havoc in this country.

The problematic with bringing discussion regarding these student groups into a conversation about illegal immigrants is that the discussion starts to treat xenophobia rather than immigration. These student groups arrive legally, not illegally. Perhaps with accompanying incentives.

Certainly, there was merit in raising national security considerations, but these arrangements are facilitated at an official level between a national government and a state government. It's not helpful to muddy the waters by conflating them into the illegal immigration discussion.

A few years ago, at a regular primarily Trini and Jamaican sweat, one of the occasional ballers was a quiet fella from Nigeria. One day after de sweat we end up chatting, and he shared that he was a US-based dentist who began his training in Trinidad & Tobago. Loved our country. Said he wouldn't be where he is today without us etc. Surely we could locate a balance in engaging this issue because it's all about locating opportunity.

My understanding is that the recent arrivals will not be receiving tourism training. I gather they will be training in the oil and gas sector.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2014, 12:54:14 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #103 on: December 10, 2014, 02:46:19 AM »
AG slams race talk: 734 illegal immigrants of Caricom neighbour deported
By Ria Taitt Political Editor (Express)


GUYANA #1

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has described as “mischievous, malicious and very dangerous” charges of racial and religious discrimination in the arrest of people or racial profiling in the deportation of illegal immigrants by the Government of the People’s Partnership.

Ramlogan said statistics from 2010 to October 2014 showed “the number one country with deportees from Trinidad and Tobago is not the African continent, not India, but Guyana. “The truth of the matter is that illegal immigrants from the African continent were way down on the list at number seven. The total number of African immigrants that have been deported from 2010 to now is 70 persons. Seventy African deportees in four, nearly five, years, against 734 Guyanese (in the same period).

“So when we run to light a fire, coming on the heels of the Ferguson experience in the US and we jump to pour kerosene to light a social flame that we cannot control, then we must look to the truth which shall set us free. And the statistics show that we must reject outright that kind of nonsense and absurd allegation against the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.”

There is absolutely no merit, truth or justification in it, he said, adding it was mischievous, malicious and very dangerous in a society such as this.

Statistics - 1,757 deported:

He said he asked for statistics from the head of Immigration, Gerry Downes, because he wanted to see if there was any merit in this charge about discrimination against deportees from Africa.

The statistics provided revealed out of a total of 1,757 deportees between 2010 and now, 41.8 per cent of deportees (734) were from Guyana. He said coming second after “with a big gap”, was Jamaica, the country of origin of 18.5 per cent of deportees (325 people).

Other Caribbean countries (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Dominica) were third, with 11.4 per cent of deportees; fourth was Asia (China, Indian and other Asian countries), with 10.2 per cent; fifth was Central and South America (5.7 per cent); sixth was Caricom countries (excluding Guyana and Jamaica), 5.7 per cent.

Speaking in the Senate on the Precursor Chemicals Bill, Ramlogan said: “We have a tendency in Trinidad to call upon the law enforcement officers to do their duty and enforce the law... and when they do... the very same people criticise and condemn them. The latest trend is if you arrest anybody—racial profiling, religious profiling. I don’t know what they expect the police to do.

“It is high time that we stop this hypocritical behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago and allow the law enforcement agencies to do their job as we were trained to do.”

The Attorney General said one had to be careful about pouring scorn on reports from security agencies in the country. He said on the African continent there was a “huge opium/heroin trade” and there was piracy on the high seas, therefore “one cannot bury one’s head in the sand”.

Ramlogan said Trini­dad and Tobago could not remain nonchalant in the face of entrepreneurial drug cartels which have already tried to use countries of the Caribbean to divert chemicals.

He quoted a 2006 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report which stated: “Trinidad and Tobago has an advanced petrochemical sector, which requires the import and export of chemicals that can be diverted for the manufacturing of cocaine hydrochloride. Precursor chemicals originating from Trinidad and Tobago have been found in illegal drug labs in Colombia.”

He said in a 2007 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Training Manual, an example of diversion was cited. “A Mumbai-based exporter presented to the Narcotics Commissioner of India a No Objection Certificate from the Competent Authority of the importing country for export of two million ephedrine tablets to Trinidad and Tobago. Suspicion led to enquiry, which confirmed that the actual quantity permitted in the NOC was 200,000 tablets only.”

He said according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report 2014, cocaine supply indicators showed that the Central and South America and the Caribbean seizures in 2011-2012 amounted to over 70 per cent of global total. “This is a damning statistic and certainly supports the need for stricter controls on cocaine production,” he said.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline sammy

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #104 on: December 10, 2014, 08:18:20 AM »
At this moment - I dont think that Trinidad could function without guayanese labor since a lot of trinis rather work CEPEP.
"Giving away something in charity does not cause any decrease in a person's wealth, but increases it instead. The person who adopt humility for the sake of Allah is exalted in ranks by Him".
(Muslim)

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #105 on: December 10, 2014, 08:20:37 AM »
Quote
Other Caribbean countries (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Dominica) were third, with 11.4 per cent of deportees; fourth was Asia (China, Indian and other Asian countries), with 10.2 per cent; fifth was Central and South America (5.7 per cent); Sixth was Caricom countries (excluding Guyana and Jamaica), 5.7 per cent.

Haiti and Dominica are CARICOM member states. Why treat them separately?
« Last Edit: December 13, 2014, 06:41:10 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline Deeks

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #106 on: December 10, 2014, 10:24:04 AM »
At this moment - I dont think that Trinidad could function without guayanese labor since a lot of trinis rather work CEPEP.

Would you or your family do the work that Guyanese do?

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #107 on: December 11, 2014, 02:53:26 AM »
T&T borders open to Nigerians—PM
By Reshma Ragoonath (Guardian)


‘No blacklisting’

hile Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says no-one will be blacklisted for entry into T&T, she remains adamant that security forces will do what is necessary to ensure public safety. The Prime Minister made the declaration on Tuesday night at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando, as she addressed reporters on concerns raised over a group of Nigerians with alleged terrorist links who arrived in T&T in 2013.

Commenting on the flagging of several Nigerian students as potential threats then, Persad-Bissessar, head of the National Security Council, admitted  she was aware of a letter sent to then National Security Minister Jack Warner in 2013 advising him of the security threat the group of 66 posed. She said at that point the Nigerians, who were allegedly involved in military action against the Nigerian government, were placed under constant monitoring.

“Minister Griffith was then our adviser with respect to National Security Council (NSC) matters. “We kept the police on board... intelligence sources. Nothing really extraordinary happened the, so they were under constant monitoring and we continue to do the same,” she said after attending the Cedar Grove Private School’s annual Christmas concert.

Persad-Bissessar assured T&T was not closing its borders to immigrants from Nigeria or other African countries as has been suggested in the wake of the recent deportation of a group of Ghanaians. However, she said monitoring would be constantly conducted.

“We cannot blacklist every person because of the transgressions of a few. We will have to do what we have to do to ensure safety and security,” she said, adding that Government “will do all we can to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.”

Threat over

Commenting on media reports of public fear that the suspected Nigerian militants may still be in the country, the PM said: “It appears to be persons who were here for one year, so that one year has expired.” She assured citizens had no reason to be fearful, especially since the situation was being dealt with by the National Security Ministry. “I do know that there are some other students who have come and therefore we continue to monitor those matters to ensure safety and security,” she said.

MORE INFO

In a 2013 letter to then National Security Minister Jack Warner, Special Branch had warned of 66 Nigerian rebels residing as students in T&T. The letter, which was highlighted in the media earlier this week, suggested that the Nigerians were involved in military attacks against the Nigerian government and had stayed close to one year in T&T as tourism students.

The Nigerians were former combatants involved in military attacks against Nigerian state oil installations in the Niger Delta region. That para-military action forced the shutdown of that country's oil production. The suspected militants reportedly entered T&T under a government-to- government arrangement for training at the T&T Hospitality and Tourism Institute in partnership with the National Energy Skills Centre.

However, the T&T Hospitality and Tourism Institute claimed the allegation was untrue. The Head of the Special Branch had advised Warner then that the suspected rebels be sent back to their country since they posed a serious security threat.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Socapro

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #108 on: December 11, 2014, 09:15:04 AM »
At this moment - I dont think that Trinidad could function without guayanese labor since a lot of trinis rather work CEPEP.

Would you or your family do the work that Guyanese do?

Hell yes!! If I came to T&T without much and......

If I am allowed to squat freely on government land, then I am offered land and housing in marginal constituencies in front of born and breed Trinis (who have been on the housing waiting list for decades and are still waiting) and I am also able to regularized or gain dual citizenship quite rapidly in return for voting for the current government that has given me preferential treatment above other groups for what they view as political gain.

This is why we now have a large population in T&T who are in the country for what they can get rather than for genuine love for the country.

PS:
Btw right now the current head of UWI in Trinidad is an Indo-Guyanese so Guyanese are doing quite well in T&T. In fact I would estimate that at least half the Indians living in T&T now have Guyanese roots. What I find worrying though is that I personally know of bright Afro-Trinis with distinctions in their subjects and who have meet all the entry requirements but have been unable to gain entry to UWI in Trinidad. As a result they had to go to Jamaica and elsewhere at extra financial cost to themselves and their family and were immediately accepted. So it seems that race discrimination politics in T&T is now even affecting the education system especially at university level.
It looks like we are trying to become like the new Apartheid South Africa of the Caribbean under the current government but there are plenty supporters of the current government who are only too happy to stick their heads in the sand about what is taking place. Nazi Germany and Apartheid South Africa did not become the racist regimes they became over night, the price of freedom and democracy is eternal vigilence.
« Last Edit: December 13, 2014, 06:27:49 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline sammy

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #109 on: December 11, 2014, 09:39:54 AM »
At this moment - I dont think that Trinidad could function without guayanese labor since a lot of trinis rather work CEPEP.

Would you or your family do the work that Guyanese do?

I did.
"Giving away something in charity does not cause any decrease in a person's wealth, but increases it instead. The person who adopt humility for the sake of Allah is exalted in ranks by Him".
(Muslim)

Offline Deeks

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #110 on: December 11, 2014, 11:39:27 AM »
At this moment - I dont think that Trinidad could function without guayanese labor since a lot of trinis rather work CEPEP.

Would you or your family do the work that Guyanese do?

I did.

I did also.

Offline Flex

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Re: Stay out! - 13 Jamaicans turned away from Trinidad
« Reply #111 on: December 11, 2014, 04:29:35 PM »
Report: Big J’can drug ring in T&T
By Mark Bassant CCN Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist


JAMAICAN nationals in this country have quietly been setting up extensive drug-running operations with South American links and extending their turf in parts of Trinidad with the predominant use of Jamaican drug mules.

These is the major finding contained in a top secret report exclusively obtained by the Express and TV6 News that was prepared in consultation with several intelligence agencies and submitted to the National Security Council in mid-October of this year.

More than two months ago, Minister of National Security Gary Griffith was given a severe tongue-lashing by Jamaican government officials for refusing 13 Jamaican nationals into this country in early October.

In a news release sent out by Griffith on October 11 in which he made reference to the Jamaican nationals, he said: “They were found providing conflicting information on the reasons for their visit, with their stories not being corroborated by their intended hosts, being hosted by Jamaican nationals in the country with illegal visitor status and having insufficient funds to support the length of their intended stay in the country.”

The intelligence report dated October 15, 2014, tells a tale about the growing trend of Jamaicans in this country allegedly involved in the organised drug trade and stamping their own turf.

The report states that within the last five years several patterns have been observed on the activity of Jamaicans at the nation’s seaport and airports.

Among them:

• Jamaican nationals—men and women— arrested each year in this country for possession of illegal drugs during the period 2009 to 2013.

• Trafficking of marijuana continued to take place between Jamaica and Trinidad where the drug is then traded for cocaine which is either sent to Jamaica for repackaging for the North American or European market or it leaves Trinidad for countries such as Canada. While Jamaicans are reportedly as skilful in preparing “swallowers”, Nigerians are said to have more sophisticated and creative means of hiding cocaine.

• Reports indicated Jamaican cells set up their own operations in Trinidad due to a lack of trust in Trinidadian drug-trafficking organisations. There is a tendency for local drug traffickers to steal the drugs prior to the arrival of their Jamaican counterparts or to be dishonest and underpay for the quantities of marijuana they receive. Therefore, Jamaican traffickers have resorted to establishing their own operations manned by Jamaican nationals.

It was also reported that Jamaican drug traffickers were not only travelling to this country for the purpose of drug trafficking but that they were also based here.

• It was inferred that local traffickers had been supplying the Jamaicans with cocaine; however, it is possible that while in Trinidad the Jamaicans were themselves networking directly with South American groups for trafficking of cocaine.

• There is, however, some networking with local drug traffickers, as it is believed a number of Jamaicans are at present being housed in different areas within Trinidad in particular in Central Trinidad—mainly Chase Village and Endeavour Road.

JAMAICANS AND THE IMMIGRATION DIVISION

The report also points to Jamaicans intentionally trying to mislead the Immigration Division of Trinidad and Tobago:

• The landing of drug mules is reportedly facilitated by members of the drug-trafficking network who pay locals as much as TT$500 for their name and address to be used by drug mules as their intended address while in the country. While the mules do not go to the stated address, the locals confirm that they are staying at the address if they are contacted by the Immigration Division. It is therefore likely that the same person and address could be recorded for several mules entering this country.

• Reports received in 2012 stated that drug mules travelling from Jamaica can be paid between US$1500 and US$2,000 for the trip. This could refer to the one-way trip since many Jamaicans have been known to seek employment in Trinidad once they arrive. Several females have been found working at clubs doing striptease dancing. Other Jamaicans (male or female) work in the security industry. Therefore, having declared that they are in the country for two weeks, they are often granted a stay up to six months after which they seek extensions.

• Reports indicate Jamaicans are in the country illegally and they have settled mostly in Central Trinidad (Edinburgh, Carlsen Field) although some have also been known to live in Sangre Grande, Carenage and Diego Martin. It is possible some Jamaicans who trafficked drugs to Trinidad and Tobago and are seeking a new life in this country are still involved in drug trafficking operations here.

The report pinpoints a particular Jamaican drug kingpin who has been thriving with his drug trafficking activities in Trinidad since 2009 using major connections such as ex-Jamaican Defence Force, port personnel as well as Jamaican Coast Guard.

The report states: “A private security firm tasked with security checks prior to sailings from Jamaican ports was targeted by the said individual’s network.

“Over an unspecified period, information suggested that employees of the said private security firm lost their lives as they attempted to carry out their duties on the port. Sources indicate that the responsibility of performing the security checks at the Jamaican ports was subsequently transferred to the Jamaican Coast Guard where it is inferred that the likelihood of collusion was high.”

The report also demonstrates the Jamaican drug kingpin’s far reaching arms in Trinidad, which they believe is still ongoing.

“The Jamaican individual specialised in the trafficking of marijuana through the use of ‘parasites’ thus his network also included divers who were sent to Trinidad ahead of shipments and Customs and Excise personnel often flagged them given that the divers arrived by air, travelling light and equipped with diving gear. In 2012, reports have been received on the said Jamaican individual arriving in the country to oversee the divers’ removal of the illegal drugs. No further information on the said individual or his operations has been received; however, sources indicate that it is highly likely that these operations have continued.”

The report concludes: “In the criminal sub domain of drug trafficking, Jamaican nationals featured significantly with some necessary targeting of such individuals taking place with the aim of disrupting the illegal activity. While drug trafficking is the primary area of illegal activity of Jamaican nationals in this country, the depth and breadth of their involvement warrant definite attention and monitoring.”

AG: I CAN’T COMMENT

The Express contacted Minister of National Security Gary Griffith who is in New York on State business via text message, but up to press time last night got no response. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, a member of the National Security Council, when contacted about the report said, “I cannot comment on it because I have not seen the report.”

Attempts to contact Jamaican High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Sharon Saunders, for a comment were unsuccessful as no one answered the office lines when calls were made between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. yesterday.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Deeks

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Re: Stay out! - 13 Jamaicans turned away from Trinidad
« Reply #112 on: December 11, 2014, 06:40:17 PM »
The only way Ja can set their so called drug ring, is with the able help of Trinis.

Offline Sando prince

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #113 on: December 12, 2014, 11:00:30 PM »

US group condemns Trinidad’s deportation of Africans

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/US-group-condemns-Trinidad-s-deportation-of-Africans


NEW YORK, (CMC) -- A United States-based Caribbean group has condemned the recent deportation of 70 African nationals by immigration authorities in Trinidad and Tobago, saying that the twin-island republic’s immigration policy is “harmful to CARICOM” (the Caribbean Community).

The Brooklyn, New York-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) on Friday said that the action by the incumbent People’s Partnership Government of Trinidad and Tobago “has triggered accusations of racism”.

“The optics and reality of the mostly Indian-based administration of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar deporting a large group of black people are horrible, and have fuelled the criticism,” the group charged.

But the coalition Government has denied suggestions of racial and religious discrimination in the deportation of African nationals, saying that Port-of-Spain had deported more Guyanese citizens than any other citizen of any country.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan told the Senate that it was “mischievous, malicious and very dangerous” for allegations to be made that the Indo-dominated government was also engaged in racial profiling in the deportation of illegal immigrants.

He told legislators that statistics from 2010 to October 2014 indicated that “the number one country with deportees from Trinidad and Tobago is not the African continent, not India, but Guyana.

“The truth of the matter is that illegal immigrants from the African continent were way down on the list at number seven. The total number of African immigrants that have been deported from 2010 to now is 70 persons. Seventy African deportees in four, nearly five, years, against 734 Guyanese.”

But CGID said Ramgolan, “in his infinite wisdom, has established an obvious pattern of discrimination against Guyanese.

“He strategically stopped short of disclosing the race of the persons repatriated to Guyana; may be for good reason,” the group said. “This insular posture must be condemned.

“T&T cannot aspire to benefit from CARICOM’s free movement of skills, people and capital, within the framework of the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy), while it deliberately discriminates against targeted CARICOM nationals; namely Guyanese, Jamaicans and others,” it added.

“Clearly, T&T’s contentious immigration policy has fractured regional unity,” it continued. The Persad-Bissessar administration’s protectionism has no place in a region where altruistic policies are crucial for unity and progress.”

CGID urged the Trinidad and Tobago administration to “reform its discriminatory immigration policy or leave CARICOM if it wants to continue down this path,”

Last weekend, the Government defended its decision to spend TT$2.6 million (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) to charter a plane to deport 15 illegal Ghanians saying that it was difficult to get visas for them men to travel back to their country through commercial flights.

The Ghanaians were deported following a marathon 12-hour court case on Saturday by lawyers to prevent their deportation.

Offline Spursy

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #114 on: December 13, 2014, 05:04:09 PM »
nah, it have more than that lol

Offline Flex

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Re: Stay out! - 13 Jamaicans turned away from Trinidad
« Reply #115 on: December 22, 2014, 05:43:22 AM »
Jamaician escapee surrenders to Immigration
T&T Newsday Reports.


THE immigration authorities yesterday issued a bulletin over the escape of three detainees from the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Aripo last Friday who are still on the run.

The quartet are Jeremy Nelson, 20, of Jamaica, who last visited Chin Chin Road in Cunupia, and who surrendered yesterday; Dickey Amada, 24, of Grenada, who last visited Navet Road in Rio Claro; Rommel Omar Payne, 34, of Barbados who last visited Bernard Trace in Enterprise; and Prince Henry Amalu, 27, of Nigeria who last visited Longdenville and Waterloo.

The men reportedly escaped by prying open two metal panels and by scaling two barbed-wire fences before melting into the nearby forest. The bulletin said that by escaping the men had violated the Immigration Act and so are now subject to arrest without warrant.

Anyone seeing the men is asked to call the IDC at 667-8037.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #116 on: December 25, 2014, 02:08:07 AM »
Gary willing to supply list of deported Guyanese
By MIRANDA LA ROSE
Thursday, December 25 2014


National Security Minister Gary Griffith says that he would be pleased to provide Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett, with the list of 434 Guyanese nationals refused entry to TT, to date.

“I would be pleased to give to the Guyana Foreign Affairs Minister a list of the individuals who have been denied entry because they have no money, they do not know where they are going to work, they do not know where they are going to live, they do not have any skill.

Like that they would either become unemployed, abused by employers similar to indentured labourers, or turn to a life of crime,” Griffith said. Griffith noted that according to the Immigration Division, 434 Guyanese nationals were denied entry into TT for 2014 and not 265 as disclosed by Rodrigues-Birkett.

On December 22, Rodrigues-Birkett expressed concern that over 265 Guyanese had been deported from TT for 2014 saying that it was not good for Caricom integration. She defended Guyanese travelling to TT saying that most of them were good law-abiding people.

At her end of year press conference in Georgetown, Rodrigues-Birkett said that she has spoken with Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Dookeran about the issue.

In a release, Griffith said the denial of entry of Guyanese nationals into TT, “is not a foreign affairs, or even a regional integration issue, but remains one of national security and law enforcement, that all countries in the region should subscribe to and enforce, especially in times of global narcotic trades and international terrorism.”

In response to Rodrigues-Birkett’s concern that those denied entry were labelled as “deportees”, Griffith said persons denied entry were listed as “persons refused entry” and not deportees.

The status of persons refused entry, he said, was different from those deported, since those denied entry may be allowed to enter once they comply with the immigration entry requirements.

Those refused entry, he said, were different from the hundreds of foreign nationals, from various countries worldwide, who are deported annually for breaches of TT’s laws.

According to Griffith, the Immigration Division refuses passengers seeking entry into TT for overstay on previous visit/s, a Watch List hit seeking re-entry, inconsistency in stated purpose of visit, no funds or insufficient funds, expired passport or no passport, passengers arriving with no return ticket, and no means to purchase a return ticket, no work permit or skills certificate.

Persons who have been identified as belonging to the Prohibited classes (Section 8.) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 18:01 are also refused entry.

Statistics revealed recently by the Office of the Attorney General for the period 2010 to October 2014 show that a total of 734 persons were deported from Trinidad.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Socapro

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #117 on: December 25, 2014, 12:40:01 PM »
What would be revealing in addition to the names of those refused entry to T&T would be a list of names of those deported from T&T and not just for Guyana but for all other Caribbean countries which are part of Caricom.
« Last Edit: December 25, 2014, 12:41:48 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline AB.Trini

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #118 on: December 25, 2014, 12:49:19 PM »
All dem Guyanese go claim special  compensation from five years ago - remember the one that came and spoke on Jacks political platform hahah that was kicks-
 Doh worry like everything else all will be forgotten come election time

Offline Flex

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Re: 110,000 illegals in T&T.
« Reply #119 on: January 15, 2015, 03:05:15 AM »
CHINA PAYS FOR 5
By Andre Bagoo
T&T Newsday


ON THE morning of Christmas Day, five Chinese nationals were released from the Immigration Detention Centre at Aripo, after Minister of National Security Gary Griffith invoked his legal powers to order an end to their detention.

Three of the migrants released were male and two were female. Both females, Bo Wang and Ying Xiao, as well as one of the males, Mujiang Feng, were detained at the centre on October 31, 2014. The other two males, Hai Chen and Luxzong Zhang were detained on November 18, 2014.

The release of the Chinese nationals from the detention facility – which is reserved for illegal migrants – was confirmed by Griffith yesterday after the issue was raised by the Emancipation Support Committee chairman Khafra Kambon.

Newsday understands the release of the Chinese detainees came after the intervention of the Chinese Embassy and representations by the Chinese Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Chinese authorities provided tickets for all five individuals and they were released into the custody of a person who provided a bond to secure their release.

The individuals remain in the country and are due to depart “within the week” according to one official with knowledge of the matter.

There were unconfirmed reports that the individuals had been in the country for some time and had turned themselves in to authorities to renew their paperwork. However, they had already overstayed their authorised time-period for residency.

Kambon’s spokesperson yesterday made public private correspondence the (ESC) had addressed to the Minister on Monday.

In an open letter, sent to media houses yesterday, Kambon called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the release of the Chinese.

“The manner and timing of this release have raised suspicions,” Kambon said. “Furthermore, it has taken place in an environment where the general public and our organisation, the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago, are extremely concerned about the treatment of undocumented migrants by the authorities in this country.

“In addition to widespread ill-treatment we have made the specific accusation of institutionalised discriminatory practices against undocumented migrants from African countries.”

Kambon said the release of the Chinese comes right after 11 nationals of Ghana and Nigeria, some of whom were married to nationals, were deported to their home countries “in a most inhumane manner that is a discredit to our nation”.

“Furthermore continuous reports of corrupt practices among certain Immigration officers increase public concerns when incidents such as these are unexplained,” the chairman said. “We also wish to know how long each one was in Trinidad and Tobago, whether all or any of them entered this country illegally or overstayed their time, whether any of them were charged for any offences and what were the outcomes of those charges. Are any of them married to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago? Do any of them have children born in Trinidad and Tobago where the other parent is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago?”

Kambon added, “Honourable Minister, in relation to undocumented migrants, you have repeatedly spoken about application of the law and equal treatment for all. We too wish to see such principles applied.”

Griffith yesterday denied there was any discrimination in relation to the treatment of the Chinese nationals.

“There is absolutely no discrimination here,” the National Security Minister said. “What the Emancipation Support Committee should be doing is providing sponsorship of tickets for persons who are detained to assist in providing them the airfare so that they can get those individuals home. The African countries do not provide the support for their citizens to return to the country.”

Eleven nationals from African nations were deported in December, the same month the five Chinese nationals were freed. The cost of the deportation, however, was put by State officials then as $2.5 million. They were flown out by private charter.

One day after the African nationals were deported, two Chinese nationals appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court where they pleaded guilty to immigration offences. The Chinese couple, Jian Sheng Wo, 33, and Weijuan Huang, 29, were ordered deported.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

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