[UPDATED] Young: We will ensure sufficient resources for V'zuelans' visas

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young said there will be adequate resources at the TT Embassy in Caracas for the processing of visas to allow Venezuelans to enter TT legally.

He announced the new policy following the end of a registration process to allow Venezuelans to live and work in TT for up to one year. More than 15,000 Venezuelans were registered in the process.

Young, speaking with Newsday yesterday in a telephone interview, said he has been in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs to ensure the TT Embassy has adequate resources for the process.

“We do have staff at the Embassy at Caracas. We will make sure we have sufficient resources.”
Asked if there was an ambassador at the Embassy Young replied “I don’t know what the fuss is about a lack of an ambassador.”

He pointed out that under Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration there was no US ambassador for a very long time.

“I don’t hear questions about whether it was functional. We don’t need an ambassador for an embassy to be functional.”

Following the registration a multi-agency task force to deal with all illegal immigrants similar to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement was also announced.

Young said the inter-agency task force will include Immigration and police and may utilise elements of the Defence Force. He said all these agencies have been working together but now a specialised task force was being put in place.

Asked about space constraints at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Aripo Young said the IDC can accommodate 150 people and he has taken a decision to utilise parts of the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre in Santa Rosa.

“I will declare it an IDC.”

He explained there while the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre is currently available there is still more work to be done for it be ready.

Asked when it will be opened as an IDC he said “as soon as possible.”

He added that the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre will be just over double the size and capacity of the IDC at Aripo.

Asked if the IDC will continue to have people on orders of supervision, a measure implemented because of a lack of space, Young stressed that there has been a registration process and he intends to enforce the law where people are found in breach.

“I intend to deport.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young said there will be adequate resources at the TT Embassy in Caracas for the processing of visas to allow Venezuelans to enter TT legally.

He announced the new policy following the end of a registration process to allow Venezuelans to live and work in TT for up to one year. More than 15,000 Venezuelans were registered in the process.

Young, speaking with Newsday Sunday in a telephone interview, said he has been in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs to ensure the TT Embassy has adequate resources for the process.

"We do have staff at the Embassy at Caracas. We will make sure we have sufficient resources."

Asked if there was an ambassador at the Embassy Young replied "I don't know what the fuss is about a lack of an ambassador."

He pointed out that under Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration there was no US ambassador for a very long time.

"I don't hear questions about whether it was functional. We don't need an ambassador for an embassy to be functional."