Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses says 12 Jamaicans were denied into the twin-island republic last month because they were deemed “likely to become charges on public funds”.
The group of Jamaicans had accused immigration officials at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad of treating them badly after refusing to let them enter the country when they arrived on two Caribbean Airlines flights on March 21 at 7:53 p.m. and 8:43 p.m.
In a statement issued after he received a report on the matter, Moses said all 12 visitors were denied entry in accordance with Section 8 (1) (h) of the Immigration Act which speaks to persons who may be deemed likely to become charges on public funds. And he said within 12 hours of their arrival, they were put on planes to return home.
The minister explained that both the passengers and airline were notified and served the relevant notices when it was determined that the group would not be allowed in.
“At approximately 11 p.m., the passengers were taken into the care of the airline…to await an outward-bound flight to Kingston, Jamaica on Caribbean Airlines flight BW414 at 7:50 a.m. on 22nd March, 2016,” he said.
Outlining the Jamaicans’ treatment at that point, Moses said: “They were taken to the Customs and Excise section of the airport for a baggage check, then escorted upstairs to the departure lounge area where they remained in the presence of the security company contracted by Caribbean Airlines. The 12 persons were served a meal and drinks and were provided with blankets by representatives of the airline in keeping with usual airline procedure.
“They had access to a water cooler and were escorted to the washroom facilities on the lower level of the terminal building upon request, as repairs to those facilities in the departure lounge were then being undertaken.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said he had met with High Commissioner for Jamaica to Trinidad, David Prendergast, and the matter was discussed in “an open, frank and courteous fashion befitting the strong relationship between both countries”.
