TURKS & CAICOS MIGRANT HANDLING CAPABILITIES AT BREAKING

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000043 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE 1 AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/01 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG BF SUBJECT: TURKS & CAICOS MIGRANT HANDLING CAPABILITIES AT BREAKING POINT REF: 10 NASSAU 33 DERIVED FROM: DSCG 05-1 B, D ¶1. (C) One hundred and twenty-two Haitian migrants arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) January 27. They were detained and are being housed in temporary facilities at a gymnasium. A representative from the Governor's Office told post's Coast Guard Liaison Officer (CGLO) that they have the ability to sustain the migrants for no more than four days. This representative told CGLO that they are concerned that 25 of the migrants are suspected gang members. One individual is on the TCI wanted list for aggravated burglary. The government is working with the Miami Dade Gang Unit on confirming the criminal histories of the individuals. The CGLO offered to provide information from U.S. databases on the suspected individuals, however the government has not yet requested assistance on this. ¶2. (C) A representative from the U.K. Emergency Management Agency arrived in TCI last week to be briefed on the current migrant situation. The Governor's Office made an urgent request to the U.K. for funds, which to our knowledge have not yet been provided. TCI policy has always been to repatriate migrants within 24 hours because of their inability to house them for any extended length of time. Current conditions in Haiti have negated this policy. The Governor's Office does not have enough funds for food or security to address the current migrant issue, and would be crippled by any further influx. Currently, a private company is providing security at the gym. Because of the financial crisis, the government may have to soon revert to using their limited Police Force to secure the gymnasium, which will divert forces from needed areas of the colony. ¶3. (C) The Governor's Office requested assistance with training for sea interdictions, particularly how to account for people. The CGLO offered to provide assistance with hospital tags which is the USG method of accounting for migrants interdicted at sea. The government also requested VHF radios and satellite phones to help with communication between their ships, police and immigration officials. The CGLO will advise that these requests need to be directed to London. If the Governor's Office does not receive funds soon, TCI will be largely unable to provide for more migrants. AVANT