YOUNG, GG RESPOND TO ALEXANDER ON VISA ISSUE

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Reactions are coming in to the Homeland Security Minister's request to the United States, asking for that country to revoke the visas of Trinidad and Tobago nationals, who he says are using online platforms to disseminate inflammatory and misleading rhetoric about the government and country.   Two former National Security Ministers are sounding the alarm. Rynessa Cutting reports.

Transcript

00:00Dangerous and alarming is how former Prime Minister and former National Security Minister Stuart Young

00:06describes the latest decision of Homeland Security Minister Raj Alexander

00:10to call on the United States to revoke visas of TNT nationals

00:14who allegedly spread misinformation against the government and the country.

00:20Of particular concern, Young says, is the recent use of a preventive detention order

00:25under the state of emergency regulations to detain a social media blogger

00:30as opposed to using the available criminal law

00:33which allows the protections of bail and the tenets of being innocent until proven guilty.

00:40The individual referenced was detained on November 21st and remains in custody.

00:45MP Young questions whether it is this government's policy to use dictatorial actions

00:50to silence persons who have differing opinions

00:53and warns the nation not to ignore what he calls clear and present threat

00:58to our constitutional rights and liberties.

01:01Meantime, former Minister of National Security and former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith

01:06is cautioning Minister Alexander, adding,

01:09he does not believe the Prime Minister would support the decision.

01:13It can very well be perceived that it is a door whistle to muzzle citizens

01:18in making comments that may be in contrast to the policies of the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:23But that is their right.

01:24And if it is that their visa is revoked by the United States because that is a privilege,

01:29and if it is based on that privilege, it is revoked based on whatever reason,

01:32that is between that country and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:36For you going in there to act as a PRO or as a consultant and guide another country

01:42to revoke the visas of citizens in this country,

01:45people could believe that this is some degree of you trying to muzzle citizens of this country,

01:50and that should not be the case.

01:51I am certain with the experience of the Honorable Prime Minister,

01:55who has been chair of the National Security Council for five years prior to and now,

02:00that she certainly will not endorse a situation where we are in a position now

02:05of trying to get politicians to write to other countries

02:07to take actions against citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

02:11Last week, environmental activist Gary Aboud took to social media

02:15and announced that his U.S. visa had been revoked,

02:19an action he believes came as a result of his public criticism

02:22of what he describes as extrajudicial killings of alleged narco-traffickers.

02:28On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain put out the following advisory.

02:33Breaking U.S. laws have serious consequences for visa holders.

02:37If you are arrested or violate any laws,

02:40your visa may be revoked, you may be deported,

02:44and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas.

02:48Follow the rules and don't jeopardize your travel.

02:51A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.

02:54Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.

02:57Do I not know?

03:00Do I not know?

03:06Do I not want to know?

03:09At the end of the day, I must be voir.

03:10Hold the agenda.

03:11Do I not know?

03:12Be by orchid.

03:13Do I not know if you are new?

03:14Draw the nac of Zoe.

03:14The screen is a place where I am.

03:15Strange will be educational.

03:16Law of the 70th December of points do you see?

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