Each country has the right to
determine whom they wish to remove from their territory. The Ministry
recognises this right for countries to remove persons deemed undesirable to
reside in their territory. The primary reasons for deportation include criminal
activities, certain types of misdemeanors, overstaying of visas or entry
permits, and other practices which may be deemed unacceptable in those
countries. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is obligated
to accept Trinidad and Tobago citizens who have been ordered deported. As such
the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry
of National Security, provides assistance for Trinidad and Tobago citizens
prior to departure for those who are ordered deported from the country in which
they reside.
Consular Officers in the Trinidad and Tobago Embassies, High Commissions and consulates can:
- Issue you a travel document to facilitate travel to Trinidad and Tobago if your passport is unavailable, once you have been verified as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago;
- Liaise between you and local authorities to get information about detention or deportation arrangements;
- Provide contacts for English-speaking lawyers;
- Ensure that you are afforded due process as allowed under the laws of the country from which you are to be deported (e.g., that you get all your appeals heard);
- Provide your family with information regarding the deportation such as legal arrangements in the country from which you will be deported;
- Assist you to maintain contact with your family and arrange for funds (once permitted by the local jurisdiction);
- Ensure that you are not discriminated against as a foreign citizen;
Consular Officers cannot:
Refuse you entry into Trinidad and Tobago once you are ordered deported and once you have been verified to be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago;
- Intervene in the legal process or with the local authorities to get the decision overturned;
- Pay for legal defence to appeal your case or provide legal advice;
- Deny access to a Trinidad and Tobago Consular Officer, or the lawyers of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen and those who have a legitimate right to have access to him/her;
- Deny legal aid to which he/she may be entitled to under the local laws.
Our Consular Officers can assist by doing the following:
- Notify the Trinidad and Tobago family of the detention or arrest and provide details made available by the local authorities;
- Obtain information about the status of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen’s case;
- Assist in obtaining information on the local judicial and prison systems;
- Provide the Trinidad and Tobago citizen and his/her family with a list of local lawyers;
- Assist in arranging prison visits for the Trinidad and Tobago citizen family;
- Arrange for consular visits to the detained or imprisoned Trinidad and Tobago citizen, provided that there is a Trinidad and Tobago Mission in that jurisdiction;
- Facilitate the transfer of funds to the detained person if other means are unavailable (only if such remittance is permitted by prison authorities);Ensure that medical problems, if any, are brought to the attention of the prison authorities;
- Address any justified complaint about ill treatment or alleged discrimination with the prison authorities;
- Facilitate repatriation or deportation of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen, after his/her release.
Our Consular Officers cannot assist with the following:
- Pay the Trinidad and Tobago citizen’s medical, hospital, legal, accommodation, travel or other bills;
- Provide loans or cash to the Trinidad and Tobago citizen;
- Post bails or pay fines on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen;
- Intervene in the judicial process of a foreign country or ignore local laws;
- Intervene in or act as an intermediary in disputes that are civil or commercial nature;
- Provide legal advice or initiate court proceedings on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago citizen;
- Act as the Trinidad and Tobago citizen’s guarantor or sponsor;
- Arrange for the Trinidad and Tobago citizen’s accommodation or employment;
- Provide translation, mail-forwarding, telephone, fax or other personal services;
- Prevent your removal once you have been ordered deported.
