All deportees are not criminals

THE EDITOR: I prepared this letter in response to a statement made by Mrs Camille Regis-Robinson, MP for Arouca South. Recently she ranted and raved about government’s decision, (or perhaps it was her brilliant idea) to fingerprint all citizens of TT in an attempt to fight crime. Like all the other great crime fighting plans put forth in the two years since her government took office, and under the skillful and quite impressive guidance of the Minister of National Security, that too, will never come to pass; like all the other empty promises.

In another part of her contribution she went on to indicate that the problem we face in TT insofar as it relates to crime is a result of deportees, whom she claimed were admitted under the previous regime. Without being accused of attempting to defend the previous regime, let it be stated that, as a deportee, this writer was ordered deported to TT in 1987. It matters little which administration was in charge then. Deportation of citizens to their native homelands did not begin with the previous regime and was not “accelerated” under any regime. To blame anyone else for the problems we face today, especially as it relates to crime, is to avoid accepting the responsibilities that come with governing a nation. To blame deportees for the crime situation in the country is as low as on can get. Mrs Regis-Robinson is suggesting that deportees are so intelligent, they have gone on to create havoc in Paradise and get away with it; yet a significant percentage of these deportees can be found sleeping in Riverside car park, amongst other parks. Because deportees have no spokesperson they have been used as scapegoats in the escalating crime problem we face. If the Arouca South MP knew her constituents, she would know that there are numerous deportees residing in the Arouca North and South areas and are not in violation of the laws of TT.

Individuals are being deported to TT from several countries; they are not all criminals. Several have been deported when the only crime they committed was overstaying their visas in order to try and make a better life for themselves and their families. Perhaps Mrs Regis-Robinson can make a spiritual judgement on which is a worse crime; sitting on the block and waiting for a handout, or attempting to provide for one’s family by taking a chance, even if it means breaking the law. I am in no way advocating the breaking of the law, while I will be among the first to admit that numerous laws are as dotish as the people who proposed them. But that is another story altogether. What is the unemployment rate in TT Mrs Regis-Robinson? How many members of your constituency go to New York and “vacation” for six months? Are they breaking the law or are they trying to provide for their families? If and when they overstay their visas, (and several do) and are deported, are they criminals? Perhaps you can explain what makes a criminal? Is it getting caught and convicted; or as Crime Stoppers would have us believe, just getting caught solves the crime; forget the legal process. And that is an organisation that is being headed by a “legal mind.” Makes one wonder about the legal profession; doesn’t it?

Let it be duly noted that deportees are citizens of their respective homelands who have been sent back for various reasons. Several have resorted to criminal activities to support their varied lifestyle. However, not all have done so. Many have moved on to live productive lives, making meaningful contributions in their respective communities. To paint all deportees in the same brush simply by their definition of being deported, is to throw out the baby with the bath water. Several of these men and women can make meaningful, contributions, given the opportunity. Mrs Regis-Robinson, a great opportunity exist today in TT whereby citizens can come together in a meaningful way.  Crises have the unique quality of bringing people together. Should your government recognise this sociological phenomenon, understand what it means for the nation as a whole, and mobilise the necessary skills and resources, together TT can come out of this crime situation smelling like a rose. Deportees can contribute in this effort; at least this one can.

RUDY CHATO PAUL SR
D’Abadie