Not Welcome Here

Let me make it clear from the start. More often than not, oppressive, discriminatory state policy is not a reflection of popular behaviour or predisposition. For today’s example, I select the conclusion that T&T is not a welcoming society.

Let me restate: This does not imply that Trinidadians and Tobagonians are, on average, cold, unfriendly, and inhospitable people. We are not.

Just last week, for instance, in the company of a young Jamaican family member visiting for the first time, a joke with a Chaguanas food vendor about our advanced state of hunger yielded two free meals. No matter how hard we tried, the lady refused our money.

We returned a few days later with a gift and, had it not been for COVID, there would have no doubt been tight hugs in the manner of old friends or family. We were also offered free callaloo.

Contrastingly, a group of regional students here for mandatory UWI sessions departed as fast as their travel itineraries permitted - unlike their colleague who decided on an additional week.

It had not helped that their first and second official contacts had failed to provide basic welcome, guidance, and services that would have made their stay much less stressful.

It was also not good that tales back home of horrors past had prepared them for the worst – much of which, in their collective opinion, was eventually realised.

Through all this I am still holding my tongue on public exposure of a number of instances in which it is clear that our policy, law, and official practice constitute violations of the spirit of regional commitments. Yet, the speeches have been grandiloquent, and the signatures appear on treaties with flair.

There are two ongoing applications before the immigration authorities, for example, that are shameful and embarrassing to this country as former leaders in regional affairs. I cannot go into the gory details because there can and will be a vindictive backlash.

Needless to say, the application of archaic laws combined with a completely unhelpful, unwilling official demeanour has conspired to relay to those in question that they are not welcome here.

These are actual cases, the details of which would turn every citizen with a soul to anger.

Yet, I generously suggest that this does not only point to the disrespectful, contemptuous behaviour of state officials. It cannot be that people who grew up and went to school and live in my country can be so cruel. I refuse to believe that.

So it was that I spent part of last week with colleagues discussing media coverage of migration issues with a focus mainly on the arrival of non-Caricom nationals. Enlightening inputs from Justice Vashiest Kokaram and attorney/law lecturer, Jason Nathu helped us come to terms with the archaic nature of applicable laws and policy.

When considered alongside the concerns of agencies such as the UNHCR and IOM, it became clear that these things are only partially the function of uncaring state operatives. What we have is the absence of clear policy, enlightened law, and the persistence of a politics of division - the latter well learned from the colonials, but now with a momentum of its own.

You already know my views on the regional paradigm to which we claim to belong. International humanitarian law, the Treaty of Chaguaramas, domestic legislation and political posturing all conspire to paint a picture in direct conflict with actual process and action.

“You are not welcome here” is the essential message. No wonder why the longstanding cluelessness on matters related to refugee policy, immigration, tourism, and the application of regional solutions via institutions such as the CCJ.

None of this, by the way, is irrelevant to the senseless attack on recently-appointed attorney general, Reginald Armour – an outstanding, independent, legal professional with credentials that exceed the requirements of his new job. Real legal minds have already pronounced on the matter. But I hope we all got the implicit message.

Link this to what I flagged last week as the longstanding (racist) myth of invading “small islanders” for purposes of bolstering political support.

Over the years there has been little change when it comes to such matters since it has been deemed to be of political value to instil baseless fear regarding the inward flows of people – despite 400 years of arrivals.

“We” (who all came) have been saying “keep away” all our relatively short national lives. Many, many more have left though. Most, never to return.