I agree. To be honest as an American or a Trinidadian, one must be forthright about what they know about their country. I love my country, but I would not fluff it up, especially at the expense of a best friend and her two children.
I think you got most of your answers about Trinidad is like via this site but to be honest I think from what I read of your situation its not whether Trinidad is a good place to live or not as much as what is your daughter really thinking? What's her plan? The fact she does not want to talk about it means there is a lot more to this. Just my two cent (two pennies for you).
What does it matter if she does not have a work permit to work here then she isn't supposed to work. Americans don't like us to go up there and work for 'free' so Americans should not think they could do so with here. You want to live in Trinidad then you take the appropriate steps, contact the embassy, get your papers in order and go from there.