APNU questions gov’t about border monitoring, law to register migrants for e-ID cards

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 November 2025, 23:25 by Writer

In the wake of last month’s deadly bombing at a gas station in Georgetown, the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is seeking answers from government on the monitoring of areas where foreigners are entering Guyana illegally.

“Regions 1, 2, and 7 continue to experience significant cross-border movement by migrant populations entering through riverine and trail-based routes. These areas include numerous unmanned or partially monitored channels, raising security concerns and questions about the State’s capacity to track undocumented inflows and maintain orderly migration management,” APNU shadow home affairs minister Sherod Duncan said in the three-part question for oral reply.

In one of a series of questions concerning the migrants that were filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly for the government to answer at the next sitting, Mr Duncan wants the minister to state how many riverine entry and exit points are monitored daily, and by which agencies.

He also wants to know what systems are in place for detecting or monitoring migrant movement along unstaffed or irregular crossings and whether Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond can indicate what manpower and asset shortages have been identified by the Joint Services in Regions 1 (Barima-Waini), Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In recent weeks, at least two Colombians appeared on the radar of authorities. One of them is wanted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit for a large cocaine bust in Parika and the other was sanctioned by the United States’ Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for his alleged role with a number of Guyanese, including a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, in the smuggling of four tonnes of cocaine that was later seized by Guyanese authorities.

The main suspect in the bombing of the Mobil gas station at Regent and King streets and his accomplice, both Venezuelans, allegedly entered Guyana illegally with the explosive device at Parika on the same day it was detonated. Four Guyanese and three Venezuelans are on terrorism charges in connection with that incident on October 26.

In another question to the home affairs minister, the APNU member of parliament (MP) is asking her to indicate whether the electronic identification (e-ID) system is or will be used to determine lawful residency status for migrants, under what specific legislation is such use authorised, and what appeal or review mechanisms exist for migrants denied residency or services as a result of e-ID data.

He noted that, “government announcements indicate that the e-ID system will be used to determine or verify residency status for migrants. However, the parliament has not approved any primary legislation authorising such use, and no appeals mechanism has been disclosed for migrants adversely affected by e-ID-based decisions.”

The Data Identity Card Act provides for the registration of CARICOM and non-CARICOM nationals but, like the Data Protection Act, has not been operationalised although several government ministries have instructed their staff to register when the team from the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) visits. Prime Minister Mark Phillips has been tasked with issuing the commencement orders.

In questions to Minister of Labour Keoma Griffith and the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Duncan asked if government approved any policy requiring migrants to obtain an e-ID before they can be employed, rent accommodation, or access public services, under what legislation and if no legislation exists, will the ministers explain the basis on which such requirements are being communicated or implemented.

Mr Duncan noted that statements by senior government officials suggest that migrants might soon be required to obtain an e-ID card before accessing employment, rental housing, or certain public services. No policy document or legal authority has been published outlining such requirements. “If so, under what legislation would these requirements be imposed?” he asked.