MARGAO
As dark clouds hover over the American sky for the lakhs of Indian immigrants, including Goans, with the Trump Administration tightening its screws on illegal immigration into the land of opportunities, voices in support of rendering assistance and rehabilitation for the deportees are growing louder by the day back home in Goa.
So far, only two persons from Goa might have been deported from the USA, but one question that is troubling many families is “ what if a greater number of Goans, especially those who have previously worked as seafarers on cruise liners or in the Merchant Navy, face deportation in the event of a continued crackdown against illegal immigrants by the Trump Administration?
Organisations representing seafarers and former seamen say the Centre, as well as the state government, including the Office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, should step in to put an action plan in place to meet any eventuality.
As the issue of illegal immigration to the USA takes centre stage, sources say that, unlike immigrants from other states, many Goans might have entered America legally, armed with a visa, before deciding to stay back in the country for employment purposes.
Against this backdrop, former seamen and seamen’s organisations have called for the intervention of the Central and state governments in rendering assistance to the deportees to ensure they return to the cruise liners or Merchant Navy to earn a living.
Goan Seamen Association of India President Frank Viegas said there may be many Goans who entered the USA legally and are working on land. “Many of these Goans might have previously worked as seafarers. In the event of their deportation, the challenge before the government is how to ensure these Goans pursue or retain jobs on the cruise liners or in the Merchant Navy,” he said.
Frank said it is imperative that the government facilitate their re-entry into the maritime industry if they meet the required eligibility criteria. “This includes ensuring that they meet the standards for physical fitness, the age requirements (with relaxation), and possess a valid Standard Training Certificate of Watchkeeping (STCW), among other qualifications. Many of these individuals may be eager to continue their careers and have the necessary skills to do so.”
He added: “For those who have secured positions on cruise ships or merchant navy companies, we request that the government help facilitate communication with these companies so they can either retain their previous roles or be reinstated, if applicable. A direct liaison with the respective shipping companies or recruitment agencies would be highly beneficial in securing their positions once again.”
Ex-Seaman and Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz has made a fervent plea to the Centre and Goa government not to treat the deportees as criminals. “Technically, Goan youth working on land need to be treated differently from the rest, who have entered the USA illegally. For many of our local youth might have entered America with valid passports and visas, though they might have been working there without work visas,” he said.
He added: “We need to understand why many Goans, who were previously working as seafarers, have preferred to work on land in the USA. After long years of serving as a seafarer, many think they will enjoy a better life on land. The government needs to play a big role in ensuring the Goan deportees, if they were previously working as seafarers, return to the cruise liners or the Merchant Navy to eke out a living.”
