US dumps 35 deportees at Piarco

A white unmarked plane transporting the deportees landed at Piarco just after 3.30 pm with their passports, indicating that they were no longer allowed to re-enter the United States.

Some of the deportees were met at the airport while others without relatives had no idea where to go. One of the deportees from Penal, who is HIV positive, served a prison term in the United States for heroin possession.

He is requesting assistance from the social services to deal with his ailment and predicament.

Yesterday, senior police officers expressed concern about the US decision to deport the 35 nationals back to this country, especially with the escalating crime situation.

Acting Police Commissioner Glen Roach yesterday said that he knew about 23 people being deported to Trinidad on Friday, but added that the figure was subject to change.

He said, "We cannot judge people when they have been deported."

He said people are deported all the time but we should not conclude that all deportees are criminals. Friday night set a record for the most Trinidad and Tobago nationals sent home on one flight.

National Security Minister Martin Joseph said yesterday that he was also aware of the deportation on Friday.

He added that a special task force has been set up to monitor the activities of the deportees to ensure that they do not add to the already worrisome crime situation.

Joseph pointed out that he was unable to stop the deportation, but discovered that Guyana and Jamaica had also received a number of deportees on Friday.