Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has firmly rejected what she described as false and dangerous claims that the government’s new Electronic Identification (E-ID) Card system is designed to legitimise illegal immigrants in Guyana.
In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister said the E-ID programme is a legitimate national security and digital governance initiative, aimed at improving identification, border management and access to public services — not a tool to regularise undocumented persons.
“Attempts to portray the Government’s monitoring of foreign nationals as an effort to ‘legitimise illegal migrants’ are entirely false,” Minister Walrond declared. “These statements are malicious, mischievous, and intended to sow public discord.”
She explained that the E-ID system will cater to two distinct groups:
- E-ID Citizen Cards — for Guyanese nationals; and
- E-ID Resident Cards — for legally residing foreign nationals who meet the required criteria, such as those holding valid work permits or other lawful immigration status.
Minister Walrond made it clear that only migrants who have met all legal entry and residency requirements will be eligible for an E-ID Resident Card. The cards will not — under any circumstances — be issued to undocumented individuals or persons with expired immigration status.
“Resident Cards will remain valid only for the period of an individual’s approved legal stay,” she explained. “Once that period expires, the card automatically becomes invalid. There is no mechanism within the system to legitimise anyone who is in the country illegally.”
According to the Minister, the E-ID initiative also supports coordination between key government agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), ensuring that both citizens and lawful residents remain compliant with national laws and obligations.
She said the move forms part of a broader effort by the government to modernise public services, enhance national security, and protect Guyana’s borders through technology-driven solutions.
“The E-ID system is about efficiency, transparency, and accountability — not amnesty. It gives government the ability to know who is in the country and for how long, and it allows legitimate residents to access essential services securely,” she emphasised.
Minister Walrond further urged the public to disregard politically motivated misinformation being shared on social media, which she said seeks to incite fear and division.
“I urge all citizens to rely only on verified, official information and to reject divisive narratives that undermine national unity,” she said.
The E-ID Card system is a key component of Guyana’s ongoing digital transformation agenda, which aims to strengthen data protection, improve service delivery, and enhance border and identity management across the country.
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