By Jarryl Bryan
In the wake of an influx of persons from neighbouring countries, the Guyana Government has admitted that while data is collected from immigrants crossing Guyana’s borders, authorities carry out only limited tracking of such immigrants afterwards.
This was outlined by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who noted during a press conference on Monday that there is a Cabinet-vetted policy guideline currently in place to establish how immigrants are to be treated. Immigrants, upon entry, must fill out an arrival card that details their country of origin and proposed place of residence while in Guyana.
“It isn’t normal in Guyana, once the person enters the country, to follow them around to see where they are,” Greenidge explained. “We’re not that type of state. However, immigration authorities can ask you to report to them from time to time. That, as far as I’m aware, is the only requirement,” Greenidge explained.
“There were concerns about the need to avoid criminalising these persons for what might be regarded as simple immigration infractions. So that was a major consideration, bearing in mind that, since 1809, any Caribbean person landing on the shores of Haiti would be granted the right to stay in Haiti. So that was a consideration,” he explained.
Greenidge recalled that after the Foreign Affairs Ministry had brought it to Cabinet’s attention, a request was made for the matter to be investigated. As a result, he explained, there were established common guidelines that took into account that ‘you don’t want to be providing arrangements that allow undesirables — meaning criminals, terrorists and others –‘into the territory ’.”
“Those who are returning from Venezuela…if you say you are Guyanese, you would be required to prove it. You would be given the opportunity to establish… if you are Guyanese by birth, naturalisation or descent. If you are not Guyanese, you will be treated as non-Guyanese,” he outlined.
The Ministry of Citizenship had earlier this month revealed that some 22,520 persons had entered Guyana between January and April 2018. However, of worry was 6,170 of those did not depart.
The records also showed that 3515 Haitians had entered Guyana in 2017, but only 291 were documented to have left.
Vaccination & inoculation
However, Guyanese or not, the minister explained, vaccination is a prerequisite in cases where persons may have been exposed to a pandemic from their country of origin. Greenidge noted the serious effects that can visit indigenous populations encountering persons who may have been exposed to a pandemic, and related that if persons refuse to be vaccinated, they would have to leave this country.
Asked about the influx of Venezuelans in Mabaruma, Greenidge noted that a joint ministerial team of personnel from the Public Health and Citizenship ministries is aware of the guidelines. He noted that applications from those seeking to stay in Guyana are being handled.
“The region is encouraging countries to try not to deport these people (Venezuelans), or try not to jail them for immigration infractions in the current era, where there are special problems in Venezuela giving rise to irregular movements. Yes, the authorities in Whitewater are aware of these… there’s nothing special about Whitewater.”
“There are, of course in some instances, persons who are camped on the other side of the border. That is not our issue. There are some in Guyanese territory seeking the right to stay; that is being handled. Problems arose because some felt they didn’t have to be vaccinated or inoculated. That is wrong. If they don’t want to, they have to leave,” Greenidge explained.
It has been reported that Venezuelan nationals are crossing into Guyana, especially at Region One, to seek medical treatment for malaria. At least 368 cases of malaria were, in May 2017, reported to national health authorities in Region One, but Venezuelans seeking treatment were treated, according to Government.
Considering this to be part of Guyana’s international humanitarian contribution, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had related that instructions were given to the Public Health Ministry to assist all comers. This assistance encompassed both Venezuelans and Guyanese who are living in the Spanish-speaking country.
There have been persistent reports that, due to a troubled economy and unrest that has gripped that nation, shortages of basic services exist in Venezuela, and those include health services.
