A Memorandum of Intent (MOI) was signed yesterday between the Government of T&T and the United States (US) geared towards the establishment of a state-of-the-art border control system.
The system called the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), documents the arrival and departure of international travellers at all ports of entry—irports and seaports throughout T&T.
It is expected to strengthen the security of T&T and the US, and all other partner countries, by increasing the ability of the Immigration Division to document travelers’ identity.
Using the latest technology, PISCES will give the government the capacity to verify a traveler’s identity against both domestic and international databases. The system will also allow officials to identify individuals who might pose a threat to public security.
According to a release issued by the Ministry of National Security, PISCES will support the T&T government’s efforts to improve border security and ensure the safety of its citizens.
“The system will be owned and operated by the T&T government. All of the data collected will belong to the T&T government, and any sharing of that information will take place subject to privacy safeguards established by the laws of T&T,” the release stated.
At the signing of the MOI, Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillon, said the system will assist in all its efforts to keep the traveling public safe, and distinguish legitimate travelers from those who might wish us harm, “We intend to use this system to deepen cooperation with our international partners, but only under safeguards that protect the privacy of the citizens of T&T. The signing of this MOI underscores the commitment of the T&T government to enhance our national security and increasing collaboration with our international partners.”
Chargé d’Affaires John McIntyre, of the US Embassy in T&T, said that the signing of this agreement marks an important step forward in the deep cooperative relationship between T&T and the US. Our economies, culture and security are intertwined, and strengthening the borders of T&T directly strengthens the national security of the US.”
