BI eyes amnesty for overstaying, illegal foreigners

By Vito Barcelo

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.