If Locke was to follow her directives from the Cabinet, however, applications like those would have already been processed. Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse sent a letter to Acting Director Maria Marin in 2014, informing her of a Cabinet policy. It basically says that if the Immigration officers can't find the file of source documents for persons who have immigration documents for 5 years or more, the department must not delay the processing or renewals for these applicants for more than 2 weeks.
The Senate asked the director about that today, and here's what she had to say:
Hon. Mark Lizarraga
"So, going back to a ledger that may have been falsified, and just looking for a name, and a number, how would that help to verify?"
Diana Locke - Director of Immigration
"A name a number and a file."
Hon. Mark Lizarraga
"A name a number and a file."
Diana Locke
"Yes, we try to tie all of them together. In the absence of a file, I can't just doubt that the person did not receive this legitimately. I could be an error on the part of the department where things have been misplaced, have been lost, have been sent off for whatever reason, whether to the ministry, or to the police, and has not been returned. So, we can't just assume that the person is illegal, or has obtained the documents fraudulently. We have to go through a process."
Hon. Mark Lizarraga
"But, that is not what this directive is saying."
Diana Locke
"No, it's not what it's saying, but we have - after reading the book - we try our best, without causing inconvenience to persons. And if we do find - I am certain that Cabinet does not intend for me to ignore the obvious and continue along. So, while that directive has been given, and we try to facilitate as best as we can, when things don't add up, then we have to stop, and we have to do further checks. I'm sure it's not Cabinet's intention that we just ignore what's wrong."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"But clearly it is."
Diana Locke
"Well, unfortunately -"
Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"No, but what I'm saying to you, Madam Director, this document, this decision from Cabinet is clearly saying, do not hold up an application for more than 2 weeks, if you can't find the file. The person have a passport for more than 5 years. You can't find the file, process it."
Diana Locke
"Since we've been doing what I explained to you, I have gotten no directive, that I should do otherwise."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"I am asking you what this document is saying. Isn't that what this document is, in effect, saying?"
Diana Locke
"If you take it literally on its face, yes."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"Yes. You are giving us assurances that you are going beyond what is here."
Diana Locke
"That is correct. At the time when this document was printed, I don't think that this report was out. So, hence I am saying I am not sure what was presented to Cabinet, what information was given to them for such a decision to be made. In the context of this report, and what we have here, we have taken those steps to ensure that things are done properly."
Email
Print