The Venezuelan migrant crisis

ALETTE LIZ WILLIAMS

on behalf of I am Here:

Borders of Hope Campaign

(initiative of the Pan American Development Foundation)

HUMAN migration patterns reflect the conditions of a changing world and influence the cultural landscapes of the places people depart and the places they eventually settle or refer to as home. People sometimes view migration as a recent phenomenon. However, migration has been a feature of human existence for centuries. People have always migrated in groups and as individuals to seek freedom from war and conflict, escape hunger and poverty, find new economic opportunities and employment, overcome religious intolerance or political repression, or even trade and travel to new places.

We only have to refer to history to acknowledge the great migration stories in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The impact of migration is straightforward and continues to prevail in this present time.

Our Venezuelan neighbours’ situation is dire. They have found themselves in an unenviable position where economic circumstances have forced them, according to USA for UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency, “to be among the second largest international displacement crisis in the world with six million Venezuelans displaced globally.”

Of the displaced, 4.8 million reside in Latin America and the Caribbean. Most Venezuelans lack documentation to stay regularly in nearby countries and are not guaranteed access to basic rights. In TT, Venezuelan migrants continue to be exposed to heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking, violence, discrimination and xenophobia.

The migrant’s story is not only the Venezuelans’ burden to bear, but we only have to look to the US and the explosive migrant crisis that has gripped major US cities. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called on the city to show a “god-like spirit” in continuing to accept asylum seekers, demanding, “It’s not acceptable for immigrants to turn on immigrants.”

Many parallels are reflected in the Venezuelan migrant crisis in TT. Religious bodies have ably demonstrated the underpinnings of the “god-like” spirit, gathering their resources, believers and supporters to assist the Venezuelans who have called TT home for the last five years.

Religious texts speak to the importance of care for humanity. Above all, we are to treat others how we would like to be treated. The church, temple, mosques and other religious bodies have all rendered yeoman humanitarian aid in ensuring we are our brother’s keeper.

Religion performs the critical function of providing social solidarity in a society. According to executive director of the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights, Denise Pitcher, religious organisations have always upheld their values regarding humanitarian aid. It is therefore not surprising that these groups, through selfless acts of care, continue to provide basic human needs to the migrant population, which are inalienable rights afforded to an individual.

The charitable efforts of our religious organisations are to be lauded. The Roman Catholic Church continues to assist migrants through the non-governmental organisation branch, Living Water Community, one of the leading religious groups advocating for the migrants, publicly and privately.

Together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in TT, the community assists with local orientation and information regarding housing, health, education, documentation, security and other social services to asylum-seekers and refugees.

Some churches have begun services in Spanish, a commendable act of inclusion to meet the spiritual needs of the Spanish-speaking population. The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) executive has graciously extended its friendliness to migrants in communities.

This spirit of inclusivity and integration is the overarching approach when addressing the migrant crisis.

The Government is seeking to integrate Venezuelan children into the public school system. This is a welcome move as the La Romaine Migraine Support (Larms), since its inception in March 2019, has assisted with educating some 1,500 migrants in reading, writing, arithmetic and, of course, teaching English, establishing a child-friendly space with its first space at the Roman Catholic church in La Romaine, an initiative adopted by other Roman Catholic churches. Larms also aims to provide social, educational and psychological support to the Venezuelan migrant community in San Fernando and environs, focusing on education.

Some may bemoan that our citizens are denied placement in the school system. While this may be factual, we must consider that, like these migrants, our citizens also migrate to other countries with children and reasonably expect integration and the right to an education. Therefore, the right of every child to education, irrespective of economic circumstances or social displacement, is to be considered with the necessary available support and resources.

The Venezuelans in our midst are individuals with identities and histories. The total of their existence is not being a migrant. They can make valuable contributions to society as other immigrants have done elsewhere. The Government did its part in 2019 by implementing a regularised system for Venezuelans to be registered that has consistently been extended, allowing those reported to be a bit more secure in the country by having legitimate job opportunities.

As citizens, we have taken issue with the Government’s lack of action in our affairs to be concerned with the problems of another group of people. However, the issue of migrants is an age-old one. People have been moving for centuries, with resettlement occurring worldwide and conversations occurring on the best way to curb the trend. Various governments have taken decisive action through accommodations such as asylum and being signatories to conventions.

In TT, the issue still rages on with recent court rulings on the matter. What has happened in neighbouring Venezuela, an economic and politically torn nation, is unfortunate as the vulnerable continue to be treated as pawns in a game for dominance.

This could easily be us. Wouldn’t we want someone to be our brother’s keeper? The reality is migrants need more than just food and clothing. We need a “god-like” spirit filled with goodwill and the charitable intentions demonstrated by our religious bodies. The human condition is subject to many circumstances; we can choose how we respond to this situation.

Venezuelans are not the common enemy; they also need to be accepted and integrated into our society. We must respect and protect, not just be viewed as cheap labour or sexually objectified.

In the wise words of Martin Luther King Jr, “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But…the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”