“Muy Bien!”
That view on Friday’s registration in North Trinidad was given by Venezuelan criminal attorney Anginette Ruiz and Venezuelan citizen Jesus Cabrera Alvarado after they completed the exercise.
And the sentiment was also echoed in English by acting National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.
“...Like everything else, perfection’s never guaranteed. We have little challenges and tweaking here and there...but from all reports I’ve had from National Security, the Police Commissioner and Defence Force, all is going so far, so good,” Hinds told reporters around 7.15 am yesterday.
This was soon after the start of the northern leg of Government’s historic Venezuelan registration exercise at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Hinds pointed out registrants were calm, participating voluntarily and willing.
“And we’ve taken the trouble to cast aside the fears, speculation and small talk and they’re coming forward in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and to a lesser extent in Tobago.”
Up to that time Police Commissioner Gary Griffith—who headed a heavy police presence at the location—said it was estimated there were 300 applicants in Port-of-Spain, 250 in San Fernando and eight in Tobago.
Average total processing time of applicants at the Oval, involving about 10 interpreters, was about 90 minutes, Alvarado said.
However, for some registrants, like Alvarado, the experience actually began around 1.30 pm Thursday when they began trickling in, half dozen at the start, attempting to be first in line. They occupied the pavement closest to the Oval’s gate where applicants were expected to enter.
Alvarado, who lives in Arima and his wife Mirly Diaz, was the first in line. They slept at those spots on Thursday night as did others. The crowd increased during the night. By dawn, a line stretched the length, parallel to the Oval’s wall.
Closer to 7 am, they packed up belongings and got ready to enter the centre.
Alvarado, Diaz and Ruiz were among the first whom officers ushered in just after 7 am. This was in the batches of seven to nine applicants went through metal detectors and onto seats in Oval stands for processing.
“They say this is history for them,” said Venezuelan-born T&T-based activist Yesenia Gonzales on how her countrymen felt about the registration drive.
Gonzales came to the Queen’s Park Oval to support colleagues who were registering. After watching the speed at which people in the line were being ushered into the centre and screened by security, she said her colleagues felt more relieved and hoped they could “now become part of the culture and forget all the xenophobia..they’re happy and grateful to all T&T people as they love T&T.”
On minor bugbears in yesterday’s exercise, such as late accessibility to online forms, Gonzales added, “It’s not to blame the government, but it seemed like last-minute action. Information could have been better. Some people didn’t know they had to bring passport pictures. You’d be surprised to know how many Venezuelans are living in the bush or a cave. But registration is two weeks and we’ll ensure everyone register,” she said.
CoP Gary Griffith said the exercise will assist police with information which the TTPS lacked before. Griffith warned people could be denied entry or deported if they proved to be a national security threat or “deemed a liability on the public purse.”
“Process perfect, but slow”- Venezuelans
Venezuelan attorney Anginette Ruiz (speaking via interpreter Joan Lambkin) said her completion of the process meant she was able to work immediately, though applicants don’t get the registration card the same day as the registration exercise.
“The registration was perfect - but very slow. This could serve as being lessons and errors,” he said.
She was elated at concluding the process.
“Now I feel strong and can walk the street with no problem. I hope I get work now as I can work right away. But I’m not picking and choosing, whatever I get I’m ready for work.”
Ruiz added the authorities seemed to have doubts and did not trust those being registered since they asked one question over and over. She advised Venezuelans to have all documents at hand to avoid a long process.
“Do it online. When you get to centres, check your documents,” she advised.
Applicants were medically checked to ensure they have vaccinations and urged to talk truthfully about any illnesses they may have.
They were also asked to give their fingerprints. The last aspect involved giving applicants an immigration receipt, confirming the process and verifying they can work.
Ruiz said they were told they would be contacted by email within two weeks about the registration card.
Alvarado of Maracaibo who was the first applicant to enter the centre, added, “The service was muy bien, perfect, well organised. I hope to adjust in the coming days. I thank God and the person who (made this) registration (idea).”
Alvarado said he has been in T&T for almost two years.
“I arrived legally but didn’t get an extension after time ended so I was here illegally. My mother is ill with Parkinson’s disease and I have three children in university. But thanks to God for my employer whom I worked with and plan to stay with, I earn enough to send my mother medicine and to pay my children’s school fees,” he said.
By 10 am the early morning’s long line was cut to less than half, though small groups arrived from time to time.