National Security Minister Stuart Young says there will be no cap on the registration process for legal and illegal Venezuelans in T&T.
Young first raised the issue while announcing an amnesty for illegal Venezuelans in T&T on Tuesday, saying they could register with his ministry and would be allowed to work for a year. He reiterated his call for them to take advantage of this facility during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. He advised that the registration process was not for refugees or asylum seekers but for Venezuelans who are already in T&T. The registration, he said, will help prevent employers from exploiting and ill-treating Venezuelans.
“So once they are legal and they register with the BIR (Board of Inland Revenue) they will now have rights,” he said.
Asked if the Venezuelans would not now infiltrate the local workforce, denying locals opportunities, Young said jobs would be open to everyone and may the “best person win. We will see how that unfolds.”
Young said he intends to take a policy dealing specifically with Venezuelans to Cabinet at its next sitting, which would involve a lot of planning. A date has not been set for the amnesty, but Young said his recommendation for the registration was two weeks, which his ministry would solely handle.
Asked if there would be a cap for the registration process, Young said: “Not in the first instance. In the first instance, what I intend to take to Cabinet, let’s say, for a period of time, it may very well be two weeks...it could be a month. That has not been determined as yet and we would have to make sure that wherever it is they have to be registered, it is properly manned and have proper infrastructure.”
Once registered, Young said Venezuelans will be also allowed to travel back and forth to their homeland for the one year.
“Certainly, if we see from a national security point of view now, where we see persons traveling too frequently to certain places and suspicion arises the normal law will apply. We may be entitled to pull you in to be interviewed and interrogate you and ask questions,” he said.
If a Venezuelan is found to be involved in criminal activity, Young said they will be sent packing.
“If we find that anyone provides us with false information during the registration process we will deport you,” he also warned.
Asked if there could not also be an influx of Venezuelans fleeing the turmoil in their country before the registration process, Young said the amnesty was not in place as yet.
“If you come here tomorrow...if you come here today. But when it becomes a policy we are not going to bend the law.”
He admitted it would be difficult to do a background check on those registering, but assured that the process will be stringent and similar to when someone applies for a visa.
The public, Young said, feels “there is a high number of Venezuelans who are here and they would flood the place.” But he said citizens would only know the precise figure following registration, adding he expects before registration takes place Venezuelans may try to make entry into our shores.
“The shorter the period (for registration) the less risk there is.”
Young said once Venezuelans find work and their monthly pay is above $6,000 they will be required to pay taxes. Deductions will also be taken out for health surcharge and they will be entitled to health care, while children of registered Venezuelans will have access to free education.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, who joined Young at the press conference, made it clear that T&T health services are free. Deyalsingh also did not feel Venezuelans here would overburden our public health care system. He said in 2016 the Government had taken a decision to treat everyone, including Venezuelans, since it makes good public health sense.
“So what is good for them from a public health perspective is also good for you.”