Hinds defends migration policy: ‘Trinidad and Tobago is not a pariah state’

News

Gregory McBurnie

10 hours ago

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said Trinidad and Tobago must find a balance between immigration policy and the benefits of immigration and challenges such as crime.

He made the comments while speaking to media at a two-day migration policy workshop organised by the United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel on July 8.

During the workshops, representatives of Caribbean countries and entities involved in migration policy will attempt to develop a regional migration policy.

In his opening speech, Hinds said the government was aware of the complexities and challenges that migration posed to the region, but also recognised its potential for sustainable human and economic development.

He defended the government’s approach to migration, pointing to the migrant registration framework and the decision to allow children of registered migrants to enrol in primary schools.

“(The structure) allowed them to work and live here. We didn’t put them in camps anywhere and we didn’t keep them in those conditions. They can wander around. Some marry Trinbagonians. Their life was as comfortable as it was practical.”

Noting that 120 million people around the world have been forced to migrate due to conditions in their countries, Hinds said he believed it was necessary to restate the government’s position on migration.

“Governments, so far as possible, should create conditions within their borders to ensure that their people can find happy, productive, fulfilling and prosperous lives within those borders. When people are forced to move for any reason and go to another state, they deserve the full protection of the constitution and laws of this country. Where individuals do not deserve such protection, (there should be) speedy repatriation, which is the policy of many other countries.”

Speaking to media after the event, Hinds said criticism of the government’s handling of migration and repatriation was due to an “ill-considered” approach.

“It’s just not knowing what’s going on. There are many, many people who have come to our shores, who have found solace, who have integrated into the national community and our lives. Every day we have dozens and dozens of applications for citizenship, for residency status, for work permits.”

He stated that Trinidad and Tobago is not a pariah state.

“We are proud of our international committee. We are proud of how we administer our laws in TT. In this civilized democracy. I am proud of the way we conduct our affairs, and therefore what we do can easily withstand scrutiny.”

Hinds said the challenge in approaching migration is taking into account different perspectives.

“Different people, different sectors of society, different economies and different religious groups have different views on the same issue.

“The job of government is to take all the issues into account and try to find the broadest and deepest national or public interest.”

He said these decisions must be made in the context of how they could impact society and the country as a whole.

“We also have to consider the impact on our society, our education system, our economy and our national security. Because, like the migration from Venezuela or Colombia, the people who come are not always the most friendly and outgoing people. Sometimes there are gang members among them. And so we have to constantly consider these issues.”

“So we had a framework… and those who have a good reason to be here will stay here. But in the context of our policy, those who do not deserve the protection of the Constitution and the laws of TT will stay and will be repatriated to where they might have come from.”