Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Under the sweltering midday sun, hundreds of migrants—including mothers clutching toddlers—stood beneath tents outside the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva yesterday, waiting to be processed as the Government began its in-person migrant registration exercise.
Some migrants had arrived before dawn.
Shawn Ramsahai said he and his Guyanese common-law wife reached the venue at 6.30 am, but hours later, she was still inside.
“The lines are not moving. People are staying very long inside. We’ve been here since early this morning and my wife isn’t out yet,” he said.
Others were turned back because of missing documents.
A Nigerian migrant said he was unable to proceed without a police certificate of character, even though fingerprinting was being done inside the venue.
Jamaican national Nardo Russel said confusion over photocopies forced him to leave and return before the 2 pm closing time.
Despite the challenges, there were expressions of gratitude.
Roy Adrian, a Guyanese national who has lived in Trinidad for 19 years, described the process as smooth.
“They asked me a few questions, and I was able to get through. They gave me a document to show if the police stop me,” he said.
Guyanese migrant Shazam Sattar also commended officials for being courteous but suggested separate lines for children and the elderly, many of whom sat on pavements shielding themselves from the elements.
“The officers there are quite OK, very loving and kind. They speak to you nicely and I am very grateful, but they should have a separate line for the elders and children so they don’t have to be in the sun,” he said.
Just before midday, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander visited the site and acknowledged the difficult conditions, but promised improvements, as registration continues until March 27. He said adjustments would be made to move migrants inside the stadium for greater comfort.
“We are trying to change that so by tomorrow (today), God’s willing, we’ll remove everybody up into the stadium so you’ll be seated in a comfortable place, get some breeze, and not standing in the sun,” Alexander said.
The Ato Boldon Stadium is one of four venues being used for in-person interviews. Alexander said to date, more than 29,000 migrants have registered, including 17,000 children.
“These numbers show the magnitude of what we are dealing with,” Alexander said, noting that immigration officials are attempting to accommodate between 250 and 300 people per day at the Couva site alone.
He confirmed the online registration portal is closed “for now” but said he will consult with the Prime Minister on whether reopening it could ease pressure.
“If reopening online registration can improve efficiency, that is something we will examine carefully,” he said, adding that any extension must be purposeful.
Addressing fears that registration could lead to deportation, Alexander sought to reassure migrants.
“Be not afraid. If we provided something for your benefit, then come and register. That’s all we ask,” he said.
He stressed the exercise is about regularising status and protecting vulnerable families.
“We are changing the game. We are giving people an opportunity to be legally here,” Alexander added.
“Our purpose is to register them, make them comfortable, and let them understand they have a purpose here—to help continue to build Trinidad and Tobago.”
Grand Chief of the First Peoples’ Sovereign Nations, Eric Lewis, called on the Government to reopen online registration, saying there are hundreds of indigenous people without documents who are desirous of being registered.
Meanwhile, La Casita managing director Andriena Briceno Ventura-Brown said there has been confusion surrounding documentation requirements, noting that fear among some migrants—particularly those with deportation or separation orders—has prevented some from registering.
