THE GOVERNMENT is making significant headway with plans to strengthen border security in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Sean Astwood, Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, led a delegation to Bridgetown, Barbados, on April 24 for the Border Security Professional Exchange Conference.
The conference saw the Turks and Caicos become the first of six British overseas territories in the region to sign an agreement with the CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) programme.
APIS is an automated system established for aviation and maritime operators which has the capability of enhancing border security over the region.
It supplies law enforcement officers with data on passengers and crew members prior to arrival and departure from CARICOM member states, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
Deputy Premier Astwood expressed that the signing marked a momentous juncture on the TCI’s road to strengthening border security.
He explained that: “Signing the memorandum was a significant and important step in achieving full implementation of the APIS in the Turks and Caicos Islands and by extension improves security for our region.”
Astwood on April 18 during his 2017-2018 budget presentation pointed out that in recent times and over the past decade, there has been an increase in threats due to transnational organised crimes, trades in illicit drugs, and other commodities, such as guns, human trafficking and illegal migration.
He said: “These threats are a result of many things, from defects such as our porous borders, to the success in the growth of our tourism industry.
“Whatever the reason, we continue to experience challenges at our port facilities, especially with limitations in data intelligence and manpower resources.”
US Ambassador to Barbados, Linda Taglialatela, said that she was looking forward to additional nations joining the programme and reminded non-members of the advantages that come along with being a member.
“I encourage all of you to consider the benefits to your countries of enhanced APIS,” she said.
She explained that adopting APIS will further allow countries to secure their airports and ports which lead them to enhancing their regional security.
She noted that in order for the region’s borders to be secure, people must work within the sovereign states to identify issues and discuss implementable solutions.
“Adopting APIS, will further allow countries to secure their airports and ports which leads them to enhancing their regional security.”
She revealed that there are already ten members of CARICOM that are members of the APIS programme and was delighted to report that the Turks and Caicos is the first associate member.
She expressed that there is a continued interest throughout the Caribbean and noted that they are working with various nations to bring them on board.
During the conference Senior Immigration Officer Latoya Mitchell gave a brief presentation of the Immigration Department and its role in securing the borders of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
APIS is expected to be fully operational in the TCI by September 2017.
This system was established by the US Customs Border Protection (CBP) in May 2009.
