Skip to playerSkip to main content
CCNTV6
  • 6 months ago
In light of the deportation of 17 T&T Nationals from the United States over the weekend, Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge says, reintegration and public safety are two areas of paramount importance.

But what happened to four other deportees who were expected to return?

Alicia Boucher has more in this report.

Transcript
00:00In relation to the 17 TNT Nationals who were deported from the United States over the weekend,
00:06Minister of Defense Wayne Stood says they are, quote,
00:09citizens of our republic and the state bears a responsibility to manage their return
00:14in a structured, lawful and transparent manner, end quote.
00:19But he makes note of the public safety considerations that are involved in this regard, Stood says,
00:24concrete steps have been taken to ensure a proactive and coordinated approach to the deportation exercise.
00:32Twenty-one deportees detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, ICE,
00:37were expected to enter the country on a chartered flight on May 23rd, 17 males and four females.
00:44So what about the four who did not return?
00:46The minister says, quote,
00:47At this time, we have not received official information from ICE on why the remaining four did not board as scheduled.
00:55End quote.
00:56But Stood outlines that the flight was entirely coordinated and funded by U.S. authorities
01:01and came at no cost to TNT.
01:05In terms of the reasons surrounding the deportation, the minister says they fall into various categories.
01:11Violent crimes such as homicide, assault, robbery, sex offenses against children and sexual assault,
01:17drug trafficking, weapons offenses, burglary and human trafficking.
01:21Stood says three were detained for crimes committed in this country before the individuals went to the United States.
01:29According to the minister, the matter of reintegration is being taken very seriously.
01:33And as such, the ministry is partnering with Vision on Mission,
01:36which Stood describes as a key agency with a strong track record in rehabilitation services.
01:42He tells us Vision on Mission will use the necessary tools available to provide a range of interventions,
01:50including psychosocial support, skills training, counseling and other structured rehabilitation plans.
01:57Stood says, quote,
01:58The goal is to ensure that deported nationals are given the opportunity to reintegrate as law-abiding and productive citizens,
02:06while also minimizing the risk of recidivism and ensuring public safety.
02:12End quote.
02:13He adds that his ministry and the Ministry of Foreign and Caricum Affairs continue to work closely with the U.S. government
02:19to ensure that TNT nationals are returned in a safe, orderly and dignified manner.
02:26Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment