“Everyone in Guyana must be documented,” says Pres. Ali as migration policy to be developed
President Dr. Irfaan Ali says his administration will craft a national migration policy in keeping with its Manifesto 2025 commitments, while maintaining that Guyana will remain open to skills and investment, but not at the expense of border control or the interests of Guyanese citizens.
“As promised in Manifesto 2025, we will develop a migration policy,” Ali said in remarks delivered on Wednesday, warning that while the country welcomes “skills, investment, and contribution,” the State will not “surrender control of our borders or subordinate the rights and interests of the Guyanese people.”
He repeatedly framed the approach as a “Guyanese first” strategy, tying immigration management to local economic participation. “Guyana and the Guyanese people come first. And we will be taking steps in local content, community economy, community services to ensure that in all of this development, Guyanese businesses, Guyanese talent, and community ownership is not displaced,” the President said.
The Head of State also issued a firm declaration on documentation, signalling stricter oversight of who is in the country and why. “Everyone in Guyana must be documented. I want to repeat that. Everyone in Guyana must be documented, accounted for, and here for a clear purpose and period,” he said, adding that residents must be “in this country for a clear purpose and a defined period.”
According to President Ali, the government intends to achieve that standard through modern digital systems, including the E-ID card, alongside stronger enforcement against abuses and greater public transparency.
“This will be achieved through modern digital systems like the EID card, through enforcement on abuse, and full transparency to the public. We will prove that Guyana can be both fair and strong,” he said.
