Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock has outlined new plans to modernize border protection by bringing automated, digital immigration checks to the Grenadines.
Addressing the nation’s broader border security strategies, Minister Leacock highlighted that the current immigration data capture system for individuals entering through the Grenadines is not digitized. Currently, the process relies on manual, paper-based forms filled out by travelers, which immigration officers must then periodically transport back to mainland St. Vincent.
To address this gap and achieve real-time data capture, the Ministry of National Security is actively exploring new technological solutions. Leacock recently met with authorities in Mustique to evaluate a potential digital framework. “Mustique has their own peculiar situation circumstances in which they shared with us their own homegrown digitalized model for data capture for immigration purposes,” Leacock explained. If this digital model proves successful in Mustique, Leacock stated it will be expanded to the other Grenadine islands to become an official instrument for tightening border security.
Furthermore, Leacock noted that several other agencies have approached the government offering affordable, automated, and digitized immigration services, which are currently undergoing an evaluation exercise.
These digital upgrades are a vital component of the country’s expanded definition of national security. Leacock emphasized that national security is no longer just about the police or coast guard, but heavily involves border security—specifically tracking “who gets in,” “how do they get in,” and “why do they get in”. He noted that immigration procedures across the region are evolving rapidly; traditional paper embarkation and disembarkation (ED) forms on aircraft are disappearing, replaced by advance passenger screening and automated self-check kiosks.