Caption: Migrants await their appointments at the Ministry of Homeland Security’s Migrant Registration Process, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. AZP News/Alicia Chamely

Summary

• Thousands of migrants turned out at three stadium venues on Monday to complete the Ministry of Homeland Security’s migrant registration process.
• Migrants were required to register online between January 26 and February 26, then attend an in-person appointment with supporting documents.
• Some applicants reported long waits and delayed appointment times, though several said staff were helpful and the process was orderly.
• Challenges included difficulty using the online system (especially for elderly migrants) and obtaining documents such as a Certificate of Good Character.
• Minister Roger Alexander said more than 29,000 people registered, including 17,000 children, and he may advise reopening the online platform to reduce congestion.

By Alicia Chamely

THOUSANDS of migrants lined up on Monday to secure legal status through the Ministry of Homeland Security’s Migrant Registration Process.

Migrants began arriving before dawn at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain; the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva; and the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, to complete the process.

From January 26, undocumented migrants were given until February 26 to register online via the Migrant Registration Framework on the Ministry’s website. After registering, applicants received a list of required documents and an appointment time to attend in person to finalise their status.

Around 1 pm, a Venezuelan couple said they were still waiting to be processed, although their appointment had been scheduled for 10 am. The pair, from Chaguanas and San Juan respectively, said they were looking forward to being legally registered.

They said they had experienced discrimination as Venezuelan migrants and were grateful for the government initiative. While they described the online process as simple, they said obtaining some required documents was difficult, including a Certificate of Good Character from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

A Guyanese national, who asked not to be named, said she arrived at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 7 am for her 8 am appointment and finished around 12.30 pm. Aside from the wait, she said the process ran smoothly and that Immigration staff were “kind” and provided the information she needed.

However, an elderly Guyanese national said he found the online process difficult. He said he and other older migrants were unclear about what documents and information were required, and some had to leave to obtain them and return. The man said he arrived at 7 am but had to leave to get additional documents and copies; when he returned, he was placed at the back of the line.

As the midday heat intensified, many migrants waited outside, either because appointment times were running behind or because they had to leave to make extra copies. Several said they were able to do so at a business in MovieTowne, Port of Spain, across the road.

Immigration officers were seen walking through the lines assisting migrants as they waited to be called for their appointments. One officer said the process had been smooth and no problems had been reported at the Hasely Crawford Stadium location.

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander visited the Ato Boldon Stadium earlier in the day to oversee the process. He said more than 29,000 people had registered, including 17,000 children.

Acknowledging the backlog, wait times and crowds, Alexander said he would speak with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar about the possibility of reopening the online registration platform to ease pressure at the sites.

Last week, migrant advocacy groups urged both the Prime Minister and Alexander to extend the registration process, arguing that some migrant groups needed more time to access the online platform and gather the required information.