13,800 Venezuelans so far want to re-register

The National Security Ministry reported on Monday that the preliminary count of Venezuelans who have applied to re-register as of March 26 is approximately 13,800.

In a press release, the ministry said the re-registration period has been extended until April 9.

The 16,523 Venezuelans who accepted the amnesty granted by the TT government in June 2019 were originally given three weeks to submit updated documents.

The statement also reminded applicants that while job letters and letters from landlords were "desirable, they are not mandatory."

Venezuelan citizens who do not re-register will be subject to deportation, like all illegal immigrants to Trinidad and Tobago.

The ministry urged eligible individuals to re-register if they had not yet done so.

On Monday, several Venezuelans said on social media that they had not been able to submit their documents to Immigration.

Some said their landlords had refused to give them letters confirming their addresses, or electricity bills. During the second week of re-registration, many Venezuelans were also concerned that employers did not want to give them job letters.

After Newsday reported these complaints, the ministry issued a statement saying job letters were not mandatory.

Venezuelans who have not submitted their documents can still leave them at the drop boxes at the Immigration offices on Henry Street, Port of Spain; Knox Street, San Fernando; or the Agricola Building in Tobago.