Given Guyana’s vulnerability in the context of its porous borders and threats to its territorial integrity, it is imperative that the nation arms itself with a clear strategy for the management of migration flows. However, much to the dismay of APNU+AFC’s shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amanza Walton- Desir, the nation is yet to be aware of any. She said that while Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd told the National Assembly recently about accommodation for migrants, he spoke nothing about the crucial management of migration flows.
Walton-Desir delivered this point today on the floor of the National Assembly as she made her contribution to the ongoing debate of Budget 2025.
She told the House, “It is crucial that we address the challenges posed by our porous borders which continue to expose us to significant risks that could undermine our national security, territorial integrity, and social cohesion.”
Further, the opposition member of parliament (MP) referenced that the minister with responsibility for immigration, Robeson Benn is quoted in the Stabroek news earlier this month saying that it is anticipated that the migrant population will increase in the coming months.
Walton- Desir said that nevertheless, to date, the government is unable to provide a realistic estimate of the number of Venezuelan migrants in the country. She added, “The reason is clear… They simply do not know!”
The legislator asserted that it is “obvious” the PPP government has lost control over the migrant situation “resulting in grave risk to our country’s security and sovereignty.”
She said that in order to mitigate these risks and protect the integrity of the nation, authorities must immediately establish a mandatory migrant registration system. The politician said that this system will allow for the effective monitoring of the movement of individuals entering Guyana, track their duration of stay, and ensure that migration is both orderly and legal.
Further, she said that the registration system will allow authorities to prevent illegal entries and track potential threats, including foreign agents or fifth columnists, as well as ensure compliance with international migration standards and protect the rights and well-being of migrants, particularly those fleeing conflict or crisis.
Walton- Desir further proposed that refugees and migrants must only be granted temporary status, until they can return to their homelands, with a clear and explicit prohibition against voting rights. “Guyanese citizenship must remain a privilege, not a pathway to manipulation or long-term instability,” she added.
Walton- Desir said that is it unacceptable that the Migration Profile for Guyana which was launched by the PPP Government in December of 2021 and which was slated to be completed by December 2022, stands incomplete and no reason has been given for this “objectionable state of affairs.”
Quoting Argentine Juan Batista Alberdi who said “to govern is to populate”, Walton -Desir warned, “We have to be mindful that this paradigm isn’t used against us to our detriment, by the deliberate injection of Venezuelan population into the Essequibo.”
She demanded that emphasis be placed on enhanced military presence along our borders “as the Coalition Government did with Operation Armadillo, instead of having our military ranks in blue t-shirts cleaning drains in the city.”
