Fulbright 2000 Program    
The Embassy of the United States of America is currently accepting applications from nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who possess excellent academic records and are desirous of pursuing studies towards a Master’s degree at a U.S. university. (complete text)

USTDA Grant Supports the Development of a Regional Air Cargo and Aircraft Maintenance Hub in Trinidad and Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – (July 28, 2008) To support the development of the necessary aviation infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago to further the country’s continued growth, USTDA awarded a grant today to the Airport Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT).  The grant will be used to formulate a strategic development plan for the creation of aircraft maintenance and air cargo facilities at the Piarco International Airport (PIA). (complete text)

Trinidad and Tobago GSP Graduation
In a June 30 proclamation announcing worldwide changes in eligibility for the United States' global and regional trade preference programs, the President of the United States announced that Trinidad and Tobago is graduating from the Generalized System of Preferences. (complete text)

U.S Embassy Announces 2008 Fulbright Scholars
Nine Trinidad and Tobago nationals were honored at a small Awards Ceremony at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre on June 25, 2008, to recognize scholarship recipients under the 2008 Fulbright Program administered by the U.S. Embassy. (complete text)

Premiere of Harrison Ford’s “Don’t Buy It”
The premiere showcased three television public service announcements to combat wildlife trafficking. U.S. Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin and Antony Ramnarine, Conservator of Forests and Chief Game Warden, offered brief remarks. Colours of Life student artists, 16-year-old Offima Davis of Mount Hope Secondary School and 10-year-old Michel James of Good Shepherd Anglican Private School, presented artwork from the Endangered Species traveling exhibition currently on display at UN House, Port of Spain. (complete text)

U.S. Secretary of Energy Concludes Successful Trip to Trinidad and Tobago
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today concluded a visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago focused on strengthening and expanding the two nations’ strategic energy and economic relationship. The United States is Trinidad and Tobago’s largest market for liquefied natural gas (LNG), importing nearly 60 percent of the LNG exported from the country. As such, the country plays an integral role in advancing the Bush Administration’s strategy to ensure safe, reliable, clean and diverse energy supplies in the United States. (complete text)

Earth Day 2008
To commemorate Earth Day 2008, U.S. Embassy Economic Officer Stephanie Hutchison and Public Affairs Officer Michelle Jones visited Newtown Girls’ R.C. School to talk with SEA students. “How can I help save the environment?” was the topic of discussion with over sixty students. The Embassy Represntatives also presented a collection of books on the oceans, the environment, weather, and pollution to the school. (complete text)

Trinidad and Tobago’s Criminal Deportees:  The Continuing Saga
In recent weeks, the print media have published several articles about criminal deportees.  Unlike many earlier discussions of this subject, most today are primarily cordial in tone and show admirable curiosity rather than unquestioning acceptance.  I am particularly impressed by the Guardian editorial of February 25^th which commented on the likelihood that the “grandfathers and retirees” who peopled the Vision on Mission deportee help-center would remain involved in serious criminality.  This editorial also mentioned the need for professionals to guide rehabilitation programs; and the attendant high financial cost. (complete text)

Fifth Summit of the Americas
We live in a hemisphere characterized by dynamic, positive change.  Democracy, free markets, and economic integration have unleashed powerful popular forces.  The elected governments of the Americas are working to translate these forces into tangible benefits for the peoples of the Americas - such as expanding economic opportunity and reducing poverty; connecting national infrastructures, integrating electricity grids and energy markets; and collaborating on alternative energy sources. (complete text)

U.S. Embassy Announces Virtual Presence Post Tobago Launch
On February 19 at Lowlands Mall, Tobago, representatives from Tobago House of Assembly, the U.S. Embassy, and the Empowerment Foundation of Tobago formally launched Virtual Presence Post Tobago. The ceremony included a performance by American Music Abroad jazz group, the Kelley Johnson Quartet; a donation of a computer system to Charlotteville Public Library by U.S. Consul General Armando Armendariz; a gift of Black History Month biographies by VPP Principal Officer Stephanie Hutchison to American Corner Tobago; and a U.S. Embassy Open House. Tobago House of Assembly officials, American citizens living in Tobago, students, and members of Tobago’s business, education, religious, and artistic communities attended the ceremony. (click here)

A Virtual Presence Post is a website directed at a Tobago audience, and includes a program of outreach and events specifically tailored for Tobago. Visit http://tobago.usvpp.gov/ for more information.

Singing and Rapping to Avert Disaster:  The 2008 Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest Finals.
On January 29, the height of Carnival season, Embassy Port of Spain held the finals of the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest at Queen’s Park Savannah before an audience of diplomats, dignitaries, and hundreds of schoolchildren from every district in the country. Hosted in cooperation with the TT Ministry of Education and Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the competition’s theme was “Disaster Preparedness Begins with You. Get Ready – Better Be Ready Than Sorry!” Finalists from T&T’s sang, rapped, and performed skits and calypsos and were later treated to a performance by soca star Maximus Dan. ((complete text)

U.S. Visa Fee Changes:  Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas
The U.S. Embassy advises the public that effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant and immigrant visas will increase.  The application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from US$100 to US$131, while the application fee for the immigrant visa will increase from US$335 to US$355.  All non-immigrant visa fees must still be paid via off-site fee collection at TT Post Offices, whereas immigrant visa fees are paid at the Embassy at the time of the interview. (complete text)

College Fair 2007 - Another Great Success
The United States Embassy hosted College Fair 2007 from September 29-30 in the gymnasium of the International School of Port of Spain (ISPS) and a mini-fair on October 1 at the Gulf City Lowlands Mall in Tobago. The program was a resounding success and an excellent outreach tool, running 9 a.m. to noon and 3-6 p.m. on both days in Trinidad, and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:00 p.m. in Tobago.  It attracted the usual large crowd of over 2,000 visitors in Trinidad and over 400 in Tobago. (complete text)

U.S. Embassy Advises Visitors to the Consular Section on Security Procedures and Waiting Times
The U.S. Embassy advises that, in order to assure the safety of our applicants and to streamline the entry process, visa applicants may not bring any electronic devices, including cellular phones, into the Embassy. In addition, no weapons of any kind, backpacks, suitcases or glass containers are permitted. We strongly recommend that these items be left at home or with a trusted individual since the U.S. Embassy cannot be held accountable for lost or stolen items. The U.S. Embassy is not associated with, and does not endorse any specific vendor, who might seek to store such items. We also recommend that applicants bring in only documents relevant to the visa and/or passport application. (complete text)

New Redress System for Travelers to the United States
Travelers to the United States who experience difficulties during airport and train station screenings or at border crossings now can make inquiries or seek resolution at an easy-to-use Internet site. (complete text)