(Antigua Sun) – The government is preparing to carry out a comprehensive review of its policies relating to immigration, work permits and citizenship. Minister of National Security, Dr Errol Cort said this review would incorporate a series of national consultations with key stakeholders and the public at large.

He released a statement to the media yesterday detailing the government’s plan as they seek to deal with the immigration issue, especially as it relates to the ability of the country to continue to absorb the current numbers of immigrants to the island. “The impact on our school system, health care services, other social services and the labour market must all be carefully reviewed,” the minister noted.

Statistics disclosed by Cort shows that between 1 September 2008 and 12 June 2009, the Immigration Department approved 14,318 applications from people seeking an extension of time to remain in the country.

“No doubt, some of these applicants may have received multiple extensions over the said period,” Cort said.

Statistics also indicate that in respect of work permits, during the period 1998 to 2008, approximately 5,000 work permits were granted on an average annual basis.

The work permit figure peaked in 1999 at 7,806, while in 2008, 5,202 work permits were issued.

In respect of citizenship, during the period 1999 to 2008, 5,958 persons became citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, with an annual average number of almost 600. These figures do not include those persons who qualified for citizenship under the Millennium Naturalization Act.