Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07GEORGETOWN117
2007-01-30 14:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

Guyana Immigration CWC Training Reveals Security

Tags:  PBTS SMIG CVIS ASEC KFRD KHLS GY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2537
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHGE #0117/01 0301446
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301446Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4724
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GEORGETOWN 000117 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CA/FPP - LARA HARRIS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS SMIG CVIS ASEC KFRD KHLS GY
SUBJECT: Guyana Immigration CWC Training Reveals Security
Weaknesses

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GEORGETOWN 000117

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CA/FPP - LARA HARRIS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS SMIG CVIS ASEC KFRD KHLS GY
SUBJECT: Guyana Immigration CWC Training Reveals Security
Weaknesses


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: At GoG request, U.S. Embassy Consular officers
participated as trainers in a recent Cricket World Cup Border
Security Training Course for Guyanese Immigration and Customs
Officers. The training made it clear that while some senior
officers have basic knowledge of APIS and the Caricom Special Visa,
Guyana Customs and Immigration lack the basic tools and knowledge to
enforce border security during the CWC. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Guyana Immigration presented the CWC Border Security Course
to approximately ten customs officers and ten immigration officers,
mostly mid-level supervisors, the week of January 22-26. This
represents only a fraction of the approximately forty immigration
officers who are assigned to the international airport and two
hundred customs officers. The line officers responsible for
actually processing incoming and outgoing visitors at the airport
were not trained. Training modules were presented by supervisory
level Guyanese immigration and customs officers and by Embassy
conoffs.


3. (SBU) Noting the Embassy's reputation for expertise in detecting
fraudulent Guyanese documentation, Guyana Immigration invited the US
Embassy to present modules during the CWC Border Security Course on
detecting imposters and on analyzing Guyanese civil documents for
fraud. Although the training was well-received, immigration
officers expressed frustration that they did not have the
"technology" necessary to analyze travel documents - namely, UV
lights and magnifying loops.


4. (SBU) Deputy Immigration Director Vyphuis presented sessions on
the Caricom Special Visa and APIS. One of the major areas of
discussion was that the visa could be issued at port of entry and
adjudication of the visa and collection of US$100 cash fee would be
left up to individual immigration officers. (COMMENT: Nowhere on the
Special Visa website does it state that visas can be obtained at
port of entry. END COMMENT.) Giving authority to local officers to
adjudicate visas and accept cash fees opens up a huge venue for
corruption. The potential for corruption was a major focus of the

Deputy's presentation, culminating with his statement, "He who needs
a lash, gets a lash," apparently referring to his discipline of
corrupt officers. When asked what system immigration would have in
place to account for money collected and visas issued at the
airport, Vyphuis could not answer, although the visa regime is due
to go into effect on February 1. Vyphuis also stated that the length
of time that each visitor would be given to remain in Guyana would
be at the sole discretion of the immigration officer. He stated that
anyone overstaying their permitted time in Guyana would be
identified and deported, although there is no procedure in place for
identifying or deporting those who overstay.



5. (SBU) Vyphuis went on to describe plans for separating
international and domestic/Caricom passengers at the airport
throughout the immigration, customs, and departure/arrival process.
Passengers arriving in Guyana will be separated into domestic and
international as they leave the plane, routing through separate
immigration, baggage and customs procedures. Although Guyana has
only one semi-functional conveyor belt for baggage, this scheme
would require two belts. Departing passengers will be separated as
well, with domestic passengers being routed out of the airport
building after screening to wait in an undetermined area, bypassing
the routine final security and document screening in the
international departure lounge. As of February 1, if Guyana receives
supplies, all passengers will fill out a special CARICOM
arrival/departure. Vyphuis also alluded to a complex wristband
scheme for domestic/CARICOM passengers, stating that the wristbands
would be as good as a passport for domestic passengers.


6. (SBU) While briefing on APIS, Vyphius stated that passengers
should be allowed to travel uninterrupted and if adverse information
is garnered, the immigration officers should notify the next port of
entry rather than stopping the passenger. Currently, Guyana's only
lookout system is based on paper lists of no-fly passengers. During
discussion on the use of APIS, immigration officers were advised
that they will not have time to consult Guyana's paper-based no-fly
lists while processing passengers and that the information on
Guyana's lists would be input into APIS. However, Vyphuis was unable
to answer how or when this data sharing would take place.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: While DHS and some of the other CARICOM countries
are focused on APIS implementation and enforcing border security
throughout the region, Guyana lacks even basic fraud detection tools
and training. Guyana's CWC border security plan does not appear to
be realistic, given the timeframe and infrastructure available and
the potential for corruption is high. The Guyana Immigration Office
is notoriously corrupt. The last Director of Immigration was
suspended last spring after 100 blank Guyanese passports went

GEORGETOWN 00000117 002 OF 002


missing and her suspension was merely the latest in a string of
Immigration Office scandals. Putting adjudicating and fee collection
authority in the hands of immigration officers who only earn only
two or three hundred dollars a month will surely result in only more
corruption. End Comment.

ROBINSON