The Trinidad and Tobago government says it will begin registering all undocumented migrants in the country from next week, warning that those who fail to comply could face immediate deportation.
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander made the announcement on Thursday night while speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet news conference. He said Cabinet has approved a new Migration Registration Framework that will require all undocumented migrants, regardless of nationality, to register at a cost of TT$700. Children will be exempt from the fee.
Under the framework, registration will begin online at migrantregistration.gov.tt. Applicants will then be scheduled for an in-person interview and, once approved, will be issued a Migration Registration Framework card.
“The Cabinet approved the registration of all legible illegal immigrants in Trinidad and Tobago through the Immigration Registration Framework,” Alexander said. “This was done sometime in 2019 by the previous administration; however, it was only Venezuelan nationals who were required to register. We are presently asking all. This framework includes all illegal immigrants to be registered.”
Alexander said migrants will be required to present a form of identification and a local address and, if employed, provide details of their place of work.
“This government intends to do things differently,” he said, noting that the process will be partially digital. “After that, you will be called to an in-person registration interview and eventually you will receive your Migrant Registration Framework card.”
He added that government facilities across the country will be used to support the registration exercise.
Responding to questions from reporters, Alexander said migrants with criminal records could face difficulties registering under the new system.
“If you have a criminal record, there will be an issue — that is for sure,” he said. “We want persons to come to Trinidad, if you come here with purpose, come with purpose and help us build, and you build yourself. We are not looking for persons to add to the nation’s problems.”
Despite this, Alexander encouraged undocumented migrants, including those who entered the country illegally, to come forward and participate in the process.
“We don’t want persons to run away,” he said. “We want persons to come forward and register.”
