Government's deportation directive sparks concern

A directive from the Ministry of Homeland Security ordering all illegal immigrants currently detained to remain at the Immigration Detention Centre until repatriation has sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates, legal experts, and prison reform campaigners.

Issued by the permanent secretary to the Chief Immigration Officer on instructions from the Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, on October 27, it states detainees are “not to be placed on Orders of Supervision,” as the government considers implementing a mass deportation exercise. The policy took immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.

Denise Pitcher, executive director of the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), described the move as a “broad-brush approach” posing a risk of criminalising all immigrants indiscriminately. Speaking to Newsday via phone on October 28, she said the measure underscores the urgent need for an updated immigration act or refugee legislation.

“With this mass deportation, we cannot identify who may have broken the law other than under the Immigration Act,” Pitcher said. “Refugees who enter irregularly under the Refugee Convention are not supposed to be penalised, but the Immigration Act criminalises everyone who enters irregularly." Pitcher added the memo “runs the risk of sending back persons who may have legitimate protection needs.”

She also warned of economic consequences, noting migrants and refugees form an integral part of the workforce in key sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, and construction.

“With government plans for large-scale construction projects, this labour is critical to sustaining the economy. It is unclear whether this deportation exercise will be a one-time rotation or an ongoing policy, but either scenario risks disrupting essential industries.”

She called for urgent clarification of the memo to ensure individual assessments occur before deportation, in line with international obligations. Pitcher emphasised the government faces the challenge of balancing immigration enforcement with humane treatment.

“It requires individual assessment. Lumping everyone together labels them as criminals without due process. Only through proper legal channels can we identify persons in legitimate need of protection while respecting the law.”

Prison reform advocate Debbie Jacob highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela as a critical factor behind migration to Trinidad.

“Every Venezuelan I know is trying to survive. Unfortunately, illegal immigrants are always judged by the political mood of the time.”

She explained migrants often perform work citizens will not, only to be blamed when political tides shift. Jacob recounted speaking with about 20 Venezuelan men in Maximum Security Prison earlier this year.

“Most of them told me they had never intended to come to Trinidad. They were picked up at sea, heading north, and placed in our prisons.”

Drawing on her personal family history as the daughter of displaced immigrants, Jacob stressed the humanitarian aspect must remain central to any policy.

Attorney Criston Williams said the memo raises significant legal questions. “The directive is unclear on whether individuals who go to renew an order of supervision during a gap between orders will be detained.”

Williams also questioned whether registered refugees awaiting resettlement are covered under this policy and whether international law obligations, including non-refoulement principles, will be respected.

“The lack of clarity creates uncertainty for families already anxious about the status of loved ones in detention. It is unclear whether the Director of Public Prosecutions has been consulted, which could affect the execution of their duties.”

Williams added the memo, widely circulated among the migrant population, leaves open critical questions about the scope, duration, and implementation of the deportation policy.

Newsday tried calling Alexander but received no answer, and a subsequent WhatsApp message went unanswered.