THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will propose the grant of amnesty to thousands of illegal and overstaying foreigners in the country, including POGO workers, and collect more than P2 billion from penalties and fines from these people.
Immigration deputy commissioner Daniel Laogan said under the planned amnesty program, an illegal alien would have to pay at least P25, 000 for each year he or she overstayed in the country.
In an interview, Laogan said the amnesty program for illegal aliens would encourage foreigners who have been illegally staying in the country for several years to come out, register, regularize their stay and avoid arrest and deportation.
The BI estimated that there are more than 500,000 foreigners illegally living in the country, adding that legalizing these immigrants will benefit the country’s economy in terms of extra revenues.
Laogan said giving them amnesty would also protect them, not just from corrupt immigration personnel, but from abusive law enforcers engaged in protection rackets victimizing illegal aliens.
The BI official said a significant number of foreigners – mostly Chinese, Indians and a few South Koreans – have been illegally staying and working in the country over the years.
“Some of them became undocumented because their passports were cancelled,” he said.
Most of the illegal Indians are engaged in business, while the Chinese seek employment in stores, mining companies and restaurants, he added.
He admitted that the bureau has already submitted a draft proposal on the matter to the Department of Justice which is currently reviewing it.
