Venezuelans worried about expired registration cards

Venezuelans with government registration cards are waiting for the publication of the official bulletin of the extension of their work permits for six more months and information on the renewal of their cards.

At the Immigration Division staff are continuing to give out application forms and accepting the required documents.

Venezuelans must also submit a job letter, copies of their registration card, passport-type photos, a utility bill and a letter from the owner of the property where they live.

In early December, giving an update on the status of the 16,523 people who benefited from registration in June 2019, National Security Minister Stuart Young said they would be given a six-month extension.

This extension, the second granted by the government as a result of the covid19 pandemic, begins on January 1.

But registered Venezuelans are concerned about the lack of information on renewing their cards.

Angélica Bencomo said, "In the Immigration Division they are delivering some application forms and receiving our documents, but they themselves do not handle information about the process of renewal of permits."

Speaking to Newsday on Wednesday, Bencomo said her card had expired since August.

“This will be the second six-month extension, but the cards say that they are expired, and in some workplaces they do not want to accept them, despite an announcement of the extension.It is necessary to print a new card for the government to explain the steps to be taken legally by registered Venezuelans,” she said.

Although Bencomo has not had problems because her card has expired, her brother has.

"My brother was fired from his previous job at a hardware store when his card expired. Now he only does temporary jobs, so it is important that they give us a new document,"

Bencomo, her brother and sister-in-law have already produced the documents asked for by the Immigration Division for the automatic renewal of the amnesty.

She said most registered Venezuelans can cover the cost of printing a new card, if necessary.

"We can pay whatever it costs to print a new card. The important thing is that the TT government considers the alternatives for our peace of mind and legal stability and theirs," she said.

Some Venezuelans have chosen to collect forms from the Immigration Division, but not hand in their documents until they have accurate information from the authorities.

One of them, Luisa Méndez, explained, "My family and I did not give in the documents, since there is no concrete information, because some homeowners and bosses at work get upset when we ask for a document. It is better to wait."

Young said Venezuelans will likely have to provide up-to-date information on where they are working and living before their extensions are granted. He said updating personal information will be of great help to the State.

He warned that no additional Venezuelans will be allowed to register.