Trini professor to apply for 38 more nationals to return home

Dr Alana Belcon -
Dr Alana Belcon -

Dr Alana Belcon, the Trinidadian professor who is co-coordinating the return of nationals stranded in the US, said a second exemption request is to be submitted for 38 more people.

Belcon, who teaches at the University of Redlands, California, told Newsday in a voice note that the group was heartened by the announcement by National Security Minister Stuart Young that 430 nationals currently on cruise ships will be allowed to return in batches. Six of these nationals arrived on Saturday and a further 53 on Monday.

“We are heartened by that. But we think all nationals should be allowed in a systematic manner back into country.”

She reported that the group submitted one exemption last Monday (May 18) for a group of 45, four of whom are babies. The group will be submitting either today or tomorrow for a second group of 38 people.

She said the group would like some feedback from the Government on the initial exemption request.

"Additionally, if there is a delay with the government's ability to bring citizens home then some sort of assistance should be provided to citizens who are in difficult positions."

She advised that the three consulates in the US be set up as command centres where Trinidadians in the US can be in contact, have their situations verified and be provided aid.

“Citizens are in really dire straits. They are not allowed to come home and they are also not being provided any assistance (from the TT Government) where they are.”

Belcon's group consists of Trinidadians in the US seeking to return home but her Facebook page, Trinis Trying to get home, included people seeking assistance who were stranded in the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Curaçao and the United Kingdom,

A WhatsApp message to Young was not responded to up to news time Sunday.

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"Trini professor to apply for 38 more nationals to return home"

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