Trinidad and Tobago and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to establish 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 travelers at all ports of entry.
This will increase the ability of the Immigration Division to document traveler’s identity.
Using the latest technology, PICES 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 from the Ministry of National Security, PISCES will support the Trinidad and Tobago government’s efforts to improve border security and ensure the safety of its citizens.
“The system will be owned and operated by the Trinidad and Tobago government and any sharing of information will take place subject to privacy safeguards established by the laws of Trinidad and Tobago,” the release said.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Intent, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, said the system will assist in all efforts to keep the traveling public safe, and distinguish legitimate travelers form those who will wish to harm us.
He added: “We intend to use this system to deepen cooperation with our internationals partners, but only under safeguards that protect the privacy of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Charge d’ Affaires, John McIntyre, of the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, said the signing of this agreement marks an important step toward and in the deep cooperative relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.
