Jesse Ramdeo
Senior Reporter
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has stepped up criticism of the former People’s National Movement (PNM) administration, accusing it of failing to act on concerns raised by United Kingdom authorities over a surge in asylum applications by Trinidad and Tobago nationals.
Speaking in the Senate yesterday during debate on the Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (APIS/PNR) Bill, Sobers outlined what he described as a pattern of inaction despite repeated warnings and high-level engagements.
“Unfortunately, after all of these meetings, there was nothing tangibly done by the previous administration to allay the fears of the British Government regarding the significant rise in asylum seekers travelling to the UK,” Sobers said.
He referenced a series of meetings involving former high commissioner Vishnu Dhanpaul, former Trade and Industry minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and former prime minister Stuart Young, noting that while discussions were held, they yielded no concrete results.
“Although his stint was short, he attempted to rectify the situation. Senator Dhanpaul, in his capacity as High Commissioner, also sought to engage officials from the UK Home Office,” Sobers said.
He added that Gopee-Scoon met with UK officials on March 10, 2025, followed by a meeting between Young and British representatives on March 11, 2025.
Sobers said the issue carries significant financial implications for the United Kingdom.
“To put that into context, once a person lands on British soil and claims asylum, the British Government is obligated to process that application,” he said.
“Testing the veracity of each claim costs the British Government—and, by extension, the British people—approximately £65,000 per application.”
He noted that concerns escalated in late 2024 as asylum applications surged.
“The UK Government indicated that the Home Office observed a spike in applications from Trinidad and Tobago—from 240 to 350 per year by December 2024. The claims were described as largely opportunistic and, in most cases, not legitimate, and were therefore denied,” Sobers said.
He added that UK authorities also raised concerns about the potential entry of gang members or individuals with criminal backgrounds, warning that visa restrictions could follow.
“Trinidad and Tobago was aware of these developments for months, yet no significant action was taken by the then administration. This left the British Government with little alternative but to implement a visa regime, which is the issue before us today,” he said.
Central to Sobers’ argument was the failure to implement the Caricom IMPACS Advance Passenger Information System.
“Trinidad and Tobago would not be in this position had we adopted the Caricom IMPACS APIS legislation when it was introduced in 2024,” he said, adding that gaps in passenger screening allowed individuals to exploit travel routes.
However, Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul rejected the criticism, defending both his tenure as High Commissioner and the actions of staff at the High Commission in London.
He said understanding the issue requires clarity on the structure of the High Commission, which includes representatives from the ministries of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Trade, and National Security.
Dhanpaul highlighted the presence of key personnel, including a security attaché, a commercial officer and foreign service officers, all appointed from Trinidad and Tobago.
Providing documentary evidence, he said the response to the issue dated back to November 2024 and referenced a January 2025 letter from Caricom IMPACS warning that a visa regime was being contemplated for March 2025.
He also detailed a January 27, 2025 meeting with UK officials, during which concerns about rising applications and associated costs were raised.
“Mr Brocklehurst indicated there was a noticeable and worrying trend, with asylum applications rising from an average of 15 per month in 2023 to a peak of 106 in December 2024,” Dhanpaul said.
“He explained that the trend was particularly concerning given Trinidad and Tobago’s relatively small population and that it placed significant strain on resources at ports of entry, particularly London Gatwick Airport, where many applications are processed.”
Despite this, Dhanpaul maintained that proper procedures were followed.
“The High Commission adhered to all required protocols. There is a clear chronological record of events, and we are satisfied that the appropriate steps were taken,” he said.
While acknowledging the realities of public service, he said he would not allow staff to be unfairly criticised.
“I don’t mind taking blame—I have been a public servant for more than half my life—but I must defend the officers who carried out their duties properly,” he said.
Dhanpaul also expressed frustration at the outcome.
“We are dealing with the United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago is among the countries that contributed significantly to its development, yet this is the position we now face,” he said.
He added: “A visa requirement to enter a country that we helped build.”
