The Caribbean Centre for Human Rights is now open on Saturdays!
Posted: April 28th 2025
The Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) will now be open on Saturdays from 8:30am-2:30pm.
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UNHCR Office Closure for Divali celebrations on 31 November 2024
The UNHCR office will be closed on Thursday 31st November 2024 in observance of Divali (Trinidad and Tobago).
Office activities will resume on Friday 1st November 2024.
Free Certified Translation of Birth Certificates for School Registration Process
As part of the enrollment process for the 2024 school year, and as a requirement set by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago, parents/guardians must submit their child’s birth certificate translated and certified by a qualified translator.
PADF is offering free certified English translation of birth certificates.
To receive this service, please send the birth certificate documents by e-mail to: [email protected].
Parents and guardians must possess the Minister’s Permit under the MRF and Migrant Registration Card which is a requirement by the government of Trinidad and Tobago for the school registration process.
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Admission of Migrant Children of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela into Schools in Trinidad and Tobago
June 21st, 2024
Migrant children of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will be admitted into schools in Trinidad and Tobago effective September 2024. This is in compliance with the Immigration (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and applies to Venezuelan nationals under the age of eighteen (18), whose parents registered with the Ministry of National Security (MNS) in 2019 and continue to register annually under the Migrant Registration Framework (MRF).
The registration process for migrant children begins on Tuesday June 25, 2024. Parents are required to visit the Education District Office (Tuesdays and Thursdays only) closest to their place of residence to complete and sign the application form “Application for Admission of Migrants of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela into Schools”.
To complete the process, parents are required to walk with the following documents (the original and one copy):
- Minister’s Permit under the MRF and Migrant Registration Card (Children whose parents are not in possession of the Minister’s Permit under the MRF are ineligible to apply for entry into schools);
- Certified translation of Birth Certificate of child (free service available);
- Immunisation Record of child;
- Proof of Address (Letter from landlord with copy of a recent utility bill as verification of address must be presented); and
- Passport-sized photo of child.
NOTE:
- The process highlighted above includes applying for a Student Permit Exemption from the Ministry of National Security.
- This application does not guarantee placement and is dependent on availability of space at schools.
- Applications will not be processed unless all the listed documents above are submitted.
Registration locations:
- Port of Spain and Environs Education District Office, Jerningham Avenue, Port of Spain
- George East Education District Office, 2A Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna
- North Eastern Education District Office, Savi Street, Boodooville, Sangre Grande
- Caroni Education District Office, Old Couva West Secondary School, Balisier Street, Couva
- Victoria Education District Office/St. Patrick Education District Office, Nos. 16 – 22 Sutton Street, San Fernando
- South Eastern Education District Office, No. 87 High Street, Rio Claro
- Division of Education, Research and Technology, Dutch Fort Plaza, Dutch Fort, Scarborough, Tobago
For more information visit the Ministry of Education website.
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New Government Policy on Access to Asylum in the United States of America
June 11th, 2024
On June 5 2024, the U.S. Government implemented a new policy that affects the ability to access asylum for people who do not enter its territory through official ports of entry. This policy seeks to encourage the use of legal channels such as the CBP ONE Program and reduce irregular crossings that put people’s lives and safety at risk.
- Remember! CBP One appointments continue to operate normally.
- Be careful! Avoid fraud. Do not pay third parties to schedule your appointments at CBP One. Appointments are free and can only be made through official channels.
- Get informed! Always go to official sources.
For more information, consult the official source: https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-laws
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Changes to the UNHCR Registration Centre from 24 April 2023
April 24th, 2023
From 24 April 2023, if you are applying for asylum for the first time, you can visit the UNHCR Registration Centre, corner Keate and Pembroke Streets, Port of Spain, from Monday to Thursday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Please be reminded that Living Water Community will no longer be registering asylum seekers from 1 April 2023.
How to renew your UNHCR card (expired, lost or stolen cards)?
If you need to renew your UNHCR Card, you can visit the UNHCR Registration Centre when it reopens from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
What to do if you have a UNHCR certificate (paper document) and remain to be registered?
If you need to renew your UNHCR Card, you can also visit the UNHCR Registration Centre when it reopens from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Please note that the UNHCR ID Card is used for the purpose of documenting refugees and asylum seekers under UNHCR mandate. It does not replace official documentation issued by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and/or Immigration Division such as work permits for which you will need to follow the established processes under the national law.
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UNHCR TT discontinues COVID-19 food support programme
December 28th, 2022
UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect people forced to flee and help find durable solutions so they can live in safety and with access to their rights.
From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as governments around the world – including Trinidad and Tobago – implemented lockdown procedures to mitigate the spread of the virus, UNHCR noted that food security would be fundamental to the well-being of the thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers we protect in the country.
As part of its pandemic response in April 2020, UNHCR mobilized emergency funding, and in partnership with Living Water Community (LWC), sought to provide immediate relief via hampers and vouchers to the most vulnerable in the community, many of whom were unable to earn a living because of the lockdown and restrictions on various sectors.
Since then, UNHCR and LWC have supported over 6,000 refugee, migrant, and local households with food assistance, allowing them to focus on other aspects of daily life, including seeking livelihoods opportunities.
Now that most countries have moved beyond the initial protocols instituted for the pandemic and as life returns to pre-pandemic routines, from January 1, 2023, UNHCR will discontinue our emergency food assistance. UNHCR, LWC, and other humanitarian partners remain committed to providing essential support services to refugees and migrants, as well as advocating for enhanced protection systems for people who have been forcibly displaced. For more information on the services UNHCR and our partners offer or to provide your feedback, please visit: https://help.unhcr.org/trinidadandtobago/.
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