Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has dismissed social media claims that the government’s new Electronic Identification (E-ID) Card is designed to regularise illegal migrants.
She described these claims as false, misleading, and deliberately aimed at confusing the public about a legitimate national security measure.
“I categorically reject the false and misleading statements circulating on social media regarding the issuance of the new E-ID Card,” the minister said in a statement on Wednesday.
“These claims are misinformed, irresponsible, and clearly intended to create public confusion,” she added.
Walrond reiterated that the new E-ID system will serve both citizens and legal residents through two categories of cards — the E-ID Citizen Card for Guyanese nationals, and the E-ID Resident Card for migrants who meet the necessary legal requirements, including those with valid work permits.
According to the minister, the E-ID Resident Cards will help ensure compliance with regulations enforced by agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), while allowing secure access to government and private sector services. The cards will remain valid only for the duration of a migrant’s approved legal stay, after which they automatically become invalid.
“Attempts to portray the Government’s monitoring of foreign nationals as an effort to ‘legitimise illegal migrants’ are entirely false. These statements are malicious, mischievous, and intended to sow public discord,” she affirmed.
Foreign nationals entering Guyana will be required to register under the new system, and those who fail to comply within a given grace period will face removal or other penalties.
The government has already committed millions toward implementing the E-ID project, which falls under the Digital Identity Card Act of 2023. The initiative aims to streamline identification, reduce fraud, and improve service delivery through digital integration across national databases.
Walrond is urging the public to rely only on verified, official information and to reject divisive narratives that undermine national unity.
