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