Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has warned that her Government cannot support CARICOM’s push for full and free movement at this time, noting the severe strain caused by tens of thousands of illegal migrants.
Speaking at CARICOM’s 50th Meeting of Heads of Government in St Kitts and Nevis, she said T&T’s public services, finances, and national security remain under unprecedented pressure.
She stressed that Trinidad and Tobago supports the principle of free movement, but the reality on the ground demands caution.
“I know we are all committed to full and free movement. I know several CARICOM islands are moving forward with that. But in Trinidad and Tobago, again, illegal migration is a big problem. It has been left to flourish not just in T&T but elsewhere. Currently, Trinbagonian taxpayers, we pay the bills for the tens of thousands of illegal migrants who have come into our country. It has put an enormous strain on our health services, Government services, financial resources, and we are working diligently to resolve this illegal immigration crisis that we have.”
The Prime Minister reinforced that Trinidad and Tobago is not rejecting free movement permanently, but cannot approve it while illegal migration remains uncontrolled.
“But Venezuela is just seven miles away from us and we are going through right now to try to identify and do a registration exercise because there are thousands of them who are a drain on the taxpayers of Trinidad and Tobago. So at this time, I would say with the greatest respect, Prime Minister Drew, Trinidad and Tobago, we are fully committed in principle to the full and free movement but we have to deal with the thousands of illegal ones I have in my country. So I will say, not at this time, but we agree in principle to full and free movement.”