00:00The passport online appointment scheme reported by TV6 News last night was only at the tip of the iceberg,
00:06according to Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander,
00:09who revealed in an express report today that there were other immigration rackets now being investigated that runs into millions
00:16of dollars.
00:17Alexander said that the corrupt practices stretching back several years also involve collection of millions of dollars by immigration officials
00:24to process citizenship, residency papers and work permits apart from the passport online appointment scam.
00:31The Homeland Security Minister said that several Chinese nationals were also building homes for immigration officials in exchange for residency
00:39in this country.
00:40Alexander told the Express that the division was, quote-unquote,
00:45rotten to the core with a major shake-up recently undertaken and several immigration officials sent on leave.
00:51The minister revealed that based on information provided that persons were paying upwards of $90,000 for citizenship and residency.
00:59He also revealed that the corrupt officials would often hold these already signed documents by the minister over the head
01:06of the applicant,
01:06indicating it was still on the minister's desk to be signed.
01:10However, he said these signed documents would be held by the corrupt official until the money had been paid.
01:15The minister said that they also had unraveled a situation where the immigration division was not taking instructions from the
01:22line ministry.
01:23He said that they had also uncovered a situation where persons coming from certain countries were blocked from entering the
01:29country.
01:30And they were also trying to ascertain who would have given such instructions and if there was some kind of
01:35ulterior motive for this stance.
01:38Alexander said that the prime minister was aware of the situation some time ago
01:41and said that corruption under this system will not be tolerated.
01:46Mark Bassant, TV6 News.
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