By Ken Ali
Venezuela’s new humanitarian nightmare is almost sure to lead to a review of Trinidad and Tobago’s refugee policy with respect to its next-door South American neighbour.
While there has not yet been any formal announcement, it is expected that there would be at least a temporary pause of the deportation of illegal migrants.
A T&T registration process for the thousands of refugees was launched in January.
Hundreds of undocumented migrants have been deported in various batches in recent years.
There is speculation that T&T will welcome more Venezuelans following the devastating earthquakes that have taken hundreds of lives, displaced thousands, and ruined homes and commercial and industrial buildings.
International media are reporting that more Venezuelans are expected to flee the stricken country.
Since 2013, an estimated eight million of Venezuela’s 28 million citizens have migrated to nearby South American and Caribbean countries as a result of a raging economic and security crisis.
Because of the proximity and wide-open coastal borders, thousands arrived and assimilated in T&T, although the exact number is not known.
Prime Minister Kamla Pesads-Bissessar stated last year that the government was dealing frontally with illegal migration.
Refugees have also fled to Guyana and other Caribbean countries, along with Colombia, Peru, Brazil and the United States.
In recent months, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Homeland Security registered some 16,000 migrants.
Reports indicate that the combined effects of the poor quality of life and effects of the ruinous earthquake could trigger a further migration flow.
The full extent of the destruction is still not known, as Venezuelan authorities survey the epicentres in north-eastern districts of the country.
Caracas, La Guaira, Catia La Mar, and Yaracuy State are among the most affected areas of the worst Venezuelan earthquakes since 1967.
Migrants arrived in T&T from those and other communities during the refugee movement of recent years.
A feverish search is still on for survivors.
Shocked migrants are continuing to attempt to contact relatives and friends.
But this is affected by patchy communications and electricity breakdown.
Tachira, Merida, Trujillo, Barinas, and Zulia are most impacted by weak telecommunications connectivity.
Social media links have improved in recent days.
Many family members are sharing pictures, names, contact numbers and other details with the hope of locating relatives who have not yet been accounted for.
Desperate relatives in T&T hare praying and hoping for good news.
Aid groups and volunteers from the United States have been assisting in family tracing.
The illegal migration has cost has had a multi-dimensional cost to T&T, with respect to social, health, housing, security and educational services.
Some refugees have been convicted for crimes.
Migrations are also linked to smuggling and human trafficking.
But at this time of critical and urgent need, there may be a reprieve for new Venezuelan migrants.
