On May 24, U.S. embassy personnel collaborated with Trinidad and Tobago authorities to facilitate the arrival of a deportation charter flight operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Piarco International Airport. The flight carried 17 Trinbagonian deportees, most of whom had significant criminal records, to Port of Spain where they were processed by Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Immigration and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Among the deportees was an individual with an outstanding warrant in Trinidad and Tobago for robbery with aggression and failure to appear.
Trinidad and Tobago Social Services, along with the NGO Vision on Mission, were present to assist in the reintegration of the deportees, providing essential services for those requiring assistance.
The U.S. embassy expressed appreciation for the support from various Trinidad and Tobago entities including Civil Aviation, Customs and Immigration, TT Airport Authority, and TTPS in facilitating both the arrival of the charter flight as well as the processing of deportees.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz stated: “Cooperation on deportation operations once again highlights the excellent and productive working relationship we currently enjoy between our U.S. federal law enforcement at the embassy, and all elements of Trinidad and Tobago government and law enforcement. This strong partnership between our two nations has been critical in assisting with a top U.S. administration priority, to secure our borders, and stop illegal and irregular migration. We look forward to continuing to work together on many future endeavors.”
Special agents from Diplomatic Security Service along with officers from Customs and Border Protection facilitated this operation at Piarco International Airport on May 24.