Passport to horrors
THE EDITOR: I recently had a most disgusting, disappointing encounter with an Immigration Officer at Sangre Grande’s Warden Office. My reason for visiting was to apply for both my daughter’s and my passports. I specifically took an entire day away from my job, to conduct this transaction knowing that I would have to be on the premises of the office from five in the morning to ensure that I was interviewed by another officer on that same day. Finally after queuing in the sun for almost six hours my number was called. I handed over all the required documents and information when the officer immediately began to shake his head in a ‘no motion and then said, "I cannot accept your recommendations." I was totally confused by his statement and proceeded to say, "of course you can! The instructions on the form stated that a university graduate could recommend." The officer then proceeded to say the recommender was also supposed to include the type of degree, the name of the university and the year in which she graduated. But I told him that that was not the instructions and I really needed to get this done today. The officer then dismissed my presence by waving me off and saying "That’s life, try another time." I felt really insulted and believed that the situation should have been handled in a more professional and polite manner. The officer in my opinion should have made an attempt to listen to what I was saying and he could have also been more accommodating. I would also advise the Head of Immigration Operations to review the instructions on those application forms in order to be more precise and specific and avoid citizens wasting time especially under these horrible conditions in which people have to wait hours in the unsheltered parking lot exposed to the elements. M CHARLES Sangre Grande
Comments
"Passport to horrors"