(Antigua Sun) – A report into investigations concerning the granting of temporary residence to non-nationals by the Immigration Department will soon be released.

This is according to Minister of National Security Dr Errol Cort.
Cort said many of the procedures in relation to the granting of temporary residence were not followed.

“We have many persons who would have received temporary residence certificates after being in the country for only a few months,” Cort disclosed. “It is also my understanding and it is an understanding that I have been able to verify that the granting of the temporary residence was not to the minister responsible on the advice of Cabinet but it was a matter which was handled solely by the Immigration Department.”

Cort has promised to make public more information on this issue once he receives the report from the committee, which was established to investigate the matter.

Statistics released by Cort showed that Guyanese and Jamaicans were the major beneficiaries of temporary residence status.

Currently, the nation is divided over whether an immigration amnesty and liberal approach or a tighter system would best serve the nation.

Meanwhile, in his opening address, Dr Kingsley Lewis, a member of the committee, which will submit the report to Cabinet following consultations on various immigration issues, said he wants a humane approach to be incorporated in whatever decision is made.

He said an examination of why people leave their native land to reside in another is largely due to economic reasons. Lewis is also supporting the call for proper population policies.

“A population policy will help to maintain at the very least the quality of life of a country.
“With uncontrolled immigration and (lack of) population policy, the quality of life can deteriorate both for the citizens and for the immigrant community who left home in search of a better life,” Lewis stated.