00:00National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hines has said not all Venezuelan
00:04migrants are here illegally but whether legal or illegal immigrants have always
00:10been deported once they breach the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Minister Hines
00:14noted that as for those authorized to be here this position was also clearly
00:20stated in the migrant registration framework policy. This was his response
00:25on Wednesday to statements made by opposition leader Kamala Prasad
00:29Besesar following the tragic murder of 69 year old the penal pensioner Winston
00:35Thomas. The opposition leader issued the latest campaign promise on Tuesday to
00:41take aggressive action against all illegal Venezuelan migrants and deport
00:46every one of them to their homeland by any means necessary if the Venezuelan
00:51migrant community does not get its act in order and desist from engaging in
00:57criminal conduct. Begin assisting the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in
01:00identifying Venezuelan criminals and integrate peacefully into Trinidad and
01:06Tobago society. The National Security Minister said that call by the
01:09opposition leader generalizes and scapegoats an entire group. During a UNC
01:15event on Monday night the opposition leader made an apparent reference to the
01:19US president-elect's mass deportation plan in the United States. What Trump is
01:25doing if you don't behave yourself here go back home go back home
01:33treaties first safety first. Minister Hines said on Wednesday that the
01:38opposition leader unwittingly raised the several serious issues in what he called
01:43the reckless outburst intended to play politics and in his words mimic Donald
01:49Trump. Minister Hines said issues of government policy, crime, social cohesion
01:55and xenophobia arise from opposition leader Posada's statement. The National
02:01Security Minister said focusing solely on nationality also risks oversimplifying
02:06the very complex issues in dealing with our migrant population. Minister Hines
02:12further said it is worth noting that Deputy Police Commissioner Junior
02:15Benjamin's response emphasized the police's commitment to justice regardless
02:21of the nationality of those involved. The National Security Minister extended his
02:25deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Thomas even as the matter
02:31is under police investigation. Jewel Brown TV6 News
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