The Migrant Registration Framework has been expanded.
According to a media statement from the Ministry of Homeland Security, this expansion will include all eligible illegal immigrants currently residing in Trinidad and Tobago and will not be exclusive to Venezuelan nationals.
The newly issued Legal Notice No. 470, the Immigration (Exemption from Work Permit) (Immigrants) Order, 2025, will take effect from January 1st, 2026, until September 30th, 2026.
Registrant cards, which will display the individual’s name, date of birth, photograph, and expiration date, will be issued and will include the children of immigrants. This, the media statement continued, is designed to facilitate data collection and will allow the State an increased level of control over the migrant population while addressing public safety concerns.
The Ministry of Homeland Security will begin the registration process in January 2026, and further details on registration centres and requirements will be published in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has recommended the deportation of illegal immigrants who have committed criminal offences or are deemed high-risk.
The statement noted that the matter has been referred by the Cabinet for further consideration in order to finalise coordination efforts.
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander noted that the exercise is an optimal step towards ensuring that the nation’s borders and communities remain safe.