FINE. The Supreme Court of Panama imposed a fine of $200 to the Director of the National Immigration Service, María Cristina González, for having engaged in misconduct to due process by ordering the arrest and deportation of a Colombian citizen Henrique Howard Holguín, who was arrested in 2009 and then deported to his home country. According to the Court, Hurtado's human rights were violated, and the law says that all government officials are obliged to respect these rights. (La Prensa)

Editor's Comment: Holy Crap! Remember when Immigration Director María Cristina González was running around scooping up dozens of Colombian women who are here in the country legally, arresting them, holding them for weeks in the jail cells in immigration, and squeezing them for bribes of $1,500 each a few months ago? Her "weapon" against these women was a threat of deportation. After publishing that story, I started to receive even more information about abuses being committed in Immigration - always against relatively defenseless foreigners. I kept up the pressure and what happened? All of a sudden they announced the "immigration fair" at ATLAPA as a PR clean sweep for María Cristina González and Immigration as an institution. Why is this woman still in her position? It makes no sense whatsoever... Anyway, I'm "gobsmacked" that the Supreme Court actually fined a sitting official.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Hey Jerin, check out the email I just received. "Dear Don. My husband and I read your publication and thought it was very beneficial until we read the article 4/2010 under Immigration Issues "Panama to Require Spanish Test for all Non Tourist Visas". We were crushed and sent off an e-mail to our Realtor who panicked and called her lawyer. We thought we'd let her attorney read the web on the law, when in the mean time, my husband pulled it up and found that it was a joke. I'm sorry, that little "joke" cost us to trust your creditability.I don't think making a joke out of a law that would affect so many people was funny. I don't think in the future we will be reading your publication because there will always be that suspicion of a "joke". Who-ever decided to publish that has hurt your creditability immensely. No, this is not a joke. MJ"

Lighten up, Francis... I can already tell you're too wound up to move to a foreign country. And, I guess learning a little Spanish was out of the question? Next question - who's your Realtor? Hey, don't blame me, blame Rodrigo Campos. And finally, yeah, it's funny. It's not every day that you can nail someone with an April Fool's day joke in August. Have you heard that Disney is coming to Panama? You might want to look into that, you know, investment opportunities and stuff. Anyway, you can rest assured that we only do this kind of thing once a year. The rest of the time we're really serious "professionals." Can't you tell? But anyway, if you don't want to read the website anymore, that's OK, I understand ... dltdhyotwo

Copyright 2010 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

Luis Cortes,the Deputy Director of the Passport Office of Panama, said one person was arrested for identity theft, after he impersonated someone else and submitted the personal identification documents belonging to another person as his own yesterday, as he tried to obtain a passport, allegedly for the first time. The man who appeared in the photo on the identity card had a scar and the man did not. The man was also darker skinned than the person in the photo and he said he was tanned from working in construction. The subject was arrested and taken out of the Directorate of Passports in handcuffs. Cortes said they have not yet determined if the man was acting alone, or if he was part of a network. He warned that the Passport Office is on alert to prevent similar events and that they are coordinating with the Electoral Tribunal. The official also announced that the penalty for these offenses was increased to ten years, with the new Law 30 of June 2010, the repeal of which is being demanded by some groups. Cortes said that for now passports will continue to cost $54 dollars, but that prices might increase in the future when they modernize the system. Cortes also noted that these procedures are now much faster, taking only about 45 minutes to an hour, because they have eliminated red tape. He said that soon their offices will be moving to Plaza Concordia. (TVN Noticias)

Editor's Comment: Remember a couple of days ago when I said the government should get their players out to the news media? This is a perfect example. Cortes comes out to highlight the arrest of one guy who was caught trying to impersonate someone else to get a bogus passport - and he made sure to say how the new Law 30 makes this a crime punishable by 10 years in prison. The drug traffickers use stolen identities to get Panamanian passports, which they then use to get visas to visit the United States and other countries, which they then use to smuggle cocaine or launder money (under a stolen identity.) And, that's why they made the change in Law 30. See? Martinelli's people are starting to take up some of the time that was going only to SUNTRACS guys, FRENADESO, environmentalists, the PRD, "civil society" ankle biters, etc. If you leave a vacuum, it will be filled by something. The government needs to keep getting their people out there, every day, over and over and over and over and over and over - until they have regained the information initiative. If they don't, they lose. The repeating will continue until moral improves.    

As of midday yesterday, Sunday, the National Immigration Service (SNM) has already issued more than 5,000 cards to foreigners who before were in Panama illegally, and who are now in the process of normalizing their immigration status thanks to a program at the Atlapa Convention Center. These cards were issued in the first three days of the extraordinary immigration normalization process dubbed "Panama, Melting Pot of Races" which started on 16 July 2010. Didacio Camargo, a spokesman for Immigration, told TVN News that so far mostly Colombians have been taking advantage of this program to normalize their status in the country. Camargo said they have reduced the fines for people who have children born in Panama. He added fines were reduced in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Also, processing times were reduced. (La Prensa)

Editor's Comment: In Panama the economy is growing faster than the population. New jobs are being created faster than people can be trained to fill them. Traditionally, Panama's immigration policies have been designed to keep foreigners out of the country primarily for economic reasons. Unemployment has always been high and the Panamanians didn't want foreigners to come here to compete with them for jobs. Now, however, unemployment in Panama has dropped down to the practical floor. Meaning, while there still might be an official unemployment rate of about 5% - it's very hard to reduce down past that number because a percentage of the "workforce" is just plain lazy, they are not looking for a job, they have issues with drug dependency or other addictions, etc. In the United States that number is somewhere slightly below 4% - and it's different for every country. There are literally thousands of people - mostly Colombians who are in affect economic refugees - who have come here simply seeking a way to make enough money to feed their families. By normalizing their immigration status, these people can obtain work permits and get "regular" jobs - meaning they will pay income taxes, contribute to the Social Security Fund, and participate in the regular economy. So, to a certain extent this "Melting Pot" program is self serving for Panama but in reality it's more of a win-win situation. Panama is going to be needing more workers very soon, so they might as well start with the people who are already here. This program has been extended through Wednesday.   

Due to the large turnout of illegal aliens who have attended the first two days of the extraordinary fair to help people normalize their immigration status, the National Immigration Service has decided to extend the event through Wednesday, July 21. This event, dubbed the "Melting Pot of Races", being held at the ATLAPA Convention Center, began on Friday and was originally scheduled to end on Sunday afternoon. Immigration officials are attending cases from 7:00 am until 12:00 midnight. During this event, only those foreigners living in the metropolitan area of Panama City and San Miguelito, who have more than two years of continuous residence in Panama, can apply. Those who meet the above requirements must pay;

• People from countries with a mutual visa exemption with Panama: Fines up to $500 maximum, Affiliation fee $5.00, Card fee $10.00.

• People from countries that do not have a mutual visa exemption agreement with Panama: Fines up to $1,000 maximum, Affiliation fee $5.00, Card fee $15.00.

• Restricted Nationalities: Fines up to $2,500 maximum, Affiliation fee $5.00, Card fee $50.00.

(Telemetro)   

About 20,000 undocumented foreigners living in Panama will be granted legal right to stay, an official of National Service of Migration (SNM) said on Thursday. Launched by Panamanian President Ricardo Martinellithe, the migratory policy "Panama Race Melting-pot" is aimed to benefit foreigners who have been living here for two years. SNM Director Maria Cristina Gonzalez said a publicity campaign has been launched to help foreigners learn about the necessary procedures and sufficient staff assigned to meet the demand. Citizens have to pay a fee of $765 for those from countries that allow mutual visa exemption for Panama and $1,275 for those from other countries, she added. (China Daily)   

Hundreds of illegal immigrants in Panama who went to the ATLAPA Convention Center yesterday to participate in the "Melting Pot" program in an attempt to normalize their immigration status in the country expressed their concerns over not being able to pay the fees and fines established by the National Immigration Service. These people, of various nationalities, came hoping to get the card that identifies them as being legal in Panama, but for many their dreams were cut short, because Immigration has not established any way for them to make payment arrangements to be able to pay the accumulated fines and fees over time. Testimonials. Mariela Pardo, a Colombian national, came early to stand in line in order to be one of the first people legalized. Despite fulfilling the requirements, she did bring all of the money with her, so she had to wait to see if her husband could find a way to get a loan. Mariela and several other foreigners found themselves with this same dilemma. The lack of money would be an obstacle on the road.

For her part, María Cristina González, the Director of the National Immigration Service, said the amount they are charging is much less than what the applicants would have had to pay on the normal fee schedule. She said the amount being charged already contains a discount, and therefore they cannot establish a payment arrangement. She said members of her staff are performing socioeconomic assessments to determine which of the low-income foreigners they can help.

The thousands of immigrants who came to ATLAPA did not seem to mind putting up with the discomfort of sleeping on the floor, the cold night, or the lack of bathrooms, but they wanted to be at the front of the line and the first ones to obtain the identity card. This program to normalize the immigration status is for all foreigners who have been in Panama for more than two years, who have no pending cases with either the Panamanian justice system or that of their home country. In addition, Immigration is working in conjunction with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Department of Security of Colombia, to ensure that those people who are being legalized in Panama do not represent a danger to the country. (Panama America)   

Date: July 12, 2010, To: U.S. Embassy Warden System, Subject: July 16, 17 and 18 Meetings in Panama City to Regularize Migratory Status. Dear Wardens: Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your area. Thank you. The U.S. Embassy in Panama City advises U.S. citizens that the Panamanian government will host a conference this weekend for foreigners in Panama who are interested in adjusting or regularizing their migratory status in Panama. Our understanding from news reports is that the meeting in the capital city is for only those foreigners residing in Panama City and San Miguelito. If you have questions, please consult local media or contact the Panamanian Office of Migration directly at 507-1800. An unofficial translation of the relevant portion of the notice we received from the Panamanian Ministry of Affairs follows: “…under the instructions of the President of the Republic, RICARDO MARTINELLI B., there will be the first grand conference of foreigners “Proceso de Regulacion Migratoria, PANAMA, CRISOL DE RAZAS” , at the ATLAPA Convention Center in Panamá city this Friday, July 16th to Sunday, July 18th 2010 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.” For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For updated information on the security situation in Panama, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy at 207-7030. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in Clayton, Building 783, in the Clayton section of Panama. The Consular Section fax is 207-7303. The Embassy web site is http://panama.usembassy.gov/ and e-mails should be addressed to Panama-ACS@state.gov. After hours and emergency phone number: 207-7000 or 207-7200.   

This morning the program to normalize the immigration status of hundreds of foreigners in the Republic of Panama - called the "Melting Pot" which targets foreigners who have been in Panama for at least two years - commenced at the ATLAPA convention center. This program being conducted by the National Immigration Service (SNM) will last for 72 hours, and will apply to people who live in Panama City and San Miguelito. Candidates should know that the program does not include any kind of a payment program that would allow them to pay off back fees and penalties over time, but rather they would have to pay the entire balance due when applying. The Director of Immigration, María Cristina González, this morning requested foreigners who are in the country illegally to come to the ATLAPA convention center and to make the effort to normalize their status in the country because it is in their best interests. She explained that the initiative favors people from countries with a visa abolition agreement, nationalities without a visa abolition agreement, and nationalities with advisory status, whose rates are established by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) as $765, $2,600 and $1,270 respectively.

She told those residents who live in the rest of the country, including the Western and Eastern portions of the province of Panama, to remain calm and wait until dates are assigned for them, and she repeated that this program is for those people who have been living in Panama for more than two years. She warned that anyone who submits false documents will not be eligible for the program. Dozens of immigrants spent the night sleeping on the ground outside of the ATLAPA convention center, some in tents, some in tents, awaiting the start of the process. In the large group there are entire families and people who have been living in the country for more than five years illegally who now want to legalize their status. There are others who have both children and grandchildren who have been born in Panama.

There have been complaints against lawyers, who charge high fees and who delay the processes in order to make more money from the immigrants, as well as complaints against employers who pay illegals less than the minimum wage. In this regard the Director of Immigration said in such cases the victims should file a complaint with the National Police for them to investigate. (TVN Noticias)

Editor's Comment: Now they are saying "hundreds" but this program will run for three days, starting today, through Sunday. I suspect they will end up processing applications for thousands of people. There are many who remain on the sidelines with the question "how much will it cost?" The simple and painful answer for many is - it will cost more than they have. What good is an amnesty program if you don't have the money to pay the fines? And, if immigration won't let you enter into some kind of a payment program to pay those fines over time. Or, why not set up some kind of a small loan program with the Banco Nacional - in effect the national government will be getting money from itself in the short term with a promise to pay in the long term from the illegal immigrant. If that person fails to pay the loan, then they get deported and the loan is cancelled. The central government doesn't lose a dime because it was their money to begin with anyway. That way, they could also allow the illegal immigrants to open a bank account, which most of them don't have right now and they can't do very simple things like cash checks. On the surface it seems like they are getting it half right. However in reality the vast majority of people out there simply don't have the money to pay, and therefore they are staying home. Unfortunately.   

Hundreds of foreigners went to the Atlapa Convention Center Atlapa to regularize their immigration status in the Republic of Panama, but the program does not start until this Saturday morning at 7:00 am. The people who went there yesterday were apparently responding to disinformation. Many foreigners went to Atlapa early in the morning, however the Director of the Immigration Service María Cristina González said there is no need to form lines because they have trained more than 450 staff members to process these cases. According to Gonzalez, the flow of processing will be expedited once the user enters the Atlapa convention center. She also said that specifically to attend to Colombian citizens, there will be 60 officials from Colombia present as well. This program known as "melting pot" will be held from 16 to 18 July 2010. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: There's obviously an error in this story. It says people went to the Atlapa based on misinformation. The program starts on Saturday. It also says th program will run from 16 to 18 July 2010 (Friday through Sunday.) I've heard before the dates were 16 to 18 July, so that's probably right. From what I understand this program is primarily to attend to those people who are currently in Panama illegally, who have not applied for any kind of legal immigration status, in order to allow them to "normalize" their status in the country. In a television interview Gonzalez said people would have to pay any outstanding fees and fines owed - which in some cases could be hundreds of dollars. She also said that if there is anyone with criminal records or who otherwise do not qualify to remain in the country, those people would be deported. This program is aimed at getting the "normal" people who have been living in Panama for years - many times women with children who have been born here - in a legal status. Most of these people have not committed any crime other than being in the country illegally, meaning they work, they live, they spend - but they can't do things like pay taxes, get normal jobs, or open bank accounts because they are "illegal." This might seem like a benevolent move on the part of the government of Panama but in fact it's self serving to a degree. They want to get all of these people on the right side of the law, to remove the "illegal" stigma so they can get work permits and therefore jobs and begin to participate in the normal economy.