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PUDP Both Play the Immigration Game
posted (February 22, 2017)

Our archives show that in January 2008, before the March General Elections, the Musa Administration swore in over a 1,000 new citizens, in a closed door session, just in time to meet the deadline to register to vote. 

So while both sides of the political colour bar are guilty of the same thing, there is only one constant: and that is the misuse of the Immigration Department. Today, Gordon Wade confirmed as much to the Senate Select Committee today:

Gordon Wade - Former OIC, Nationality Section
"Whatever year an audit would have been done in our department from a department when civilian - if any 2 years or 1 year would be chosen to run an audit we would be doing the same thing we are doing now with different people answering questions because that has been the norm ever since from I have been in the department that's the way it has been."

Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee
"You're saying not that it's normal but it’s a usual occurrence that running up to an election politicians and not just from one party government or opposition - politicians would engage in heightened activity to see that whoever it was would get nationality?"

Gordon Wade
"Yes sir."

Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator
"We have heard of this culture that has existed in this department for so long and you've been there for 27 years so you've probably seen it all. And over the years I'm trying to establish why were a lot of these things not addressed and fixed and why did it take an audit by the auditor general to really stir things up and to get some action where we still haven't determined what action and how many plugs have really been put in place. What was it in this culture that blocked improvements? That blocked revamping of the way things were done, what is it in your view?"

Gordon Wade
"Like I mentioned before these were political requests and it starts there because like I said if there was an audit to be done in the department at any time since the department has existed this would have been the same thing that would have been encountered."

Hon. Mark Lizarraga
"So you're basically saying if I'm hearing you right is that the political culture is what has allowed this to continue."

Gordon Wade
"Right."

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