Shot in the arm for Immigration Division

The Immigration Division is moving to boost its manpower by hiring close to 100 officers in the coming months.

A statement from the Ministry of National Security said the recruitment exercise started week before last for suitably qualified officers for the post of Immigration Officer 1 from the within the Public Service. 

The deadline for submission of applications to the Director of Personnel Administration is February 8.

The release said the intake of new officers will result in the promotion of some 73 officers to the rank of Immigration Officers 11, 111 and IV. Vacancies in these positions have not been filled since 2006.

The additional officers will enable the Immigration Division to strengthen the investigation section, intelligence unit, passport unit, extensions and permanent residence sections and the Document Examination Laboratory.

The statement quoted National Security Minister Jack Warner as saying the passport section will soon be able to handle a larger volume of applications for passports in a more expeditious manner.

He said strengthening these units will allow the Immigration Division to more effectively deal with illegal immigrants, human trafficking and transnational crime and management of the borders.

“This intake of the new officers will help to increase the presence of immigration officers at airports and seaports to facilitate the speedy processing of arriving passengers,” Warner added.

The Immigration Division has started an upgrade of the Information Technology equipment at the Documentation Laboratory, which will also include the training and certification of Immigration Officers in forensic counterfeit examination.