The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) has announced a review of out-of-hours compliance visits carried out by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). This move comes in response to concerns raised by the Pacific community.
The MBIE has appointed Mike Heron KC to lead the review of existing policies and processes governing out-of-hours compliance visits by immigration officers. The review is expected to be completed by the end of June.
The MBIE has announced a temporary pause on out-of-hours visits by compliance officers until the review is completed. This decision aims to ensure that the review is conducted without interference or bias.
The review is in response to concerns raised by the Pacific community about the impact of these visits on them and their families. The Pacific community has expressed deep concerns and unhappiness at recent events, and the review aims to address these concerns.
The announcement by MBIE acknowledges the historical context of the Pacific community's concerns. The Dawn Raids of the 1970s, which targeted individuals suspected of overstaying their visas, have had a lasting impact on the Pacific community. The current review seeks to prevent any repetition of such actions and to ensure that lessons from the past are learned.
MBIE emphasizes that while the review is underway, efforts will be made to strike a balance between meeting ministerial expectations and ensuring public safety. Professionalism and integrity are core values that all compliance officers are expected to uphold throughout their interactions.
The review of out-of-hours immigration compliance visits marks a significant step towards enhancing the overall approach to immigration procedures. By reassessing existing policies and processes, MBIE aims to identify areas that require improvement and to implement necessary changes accordingly.
The review of out-of-hours immigration compliance visits is a proactive step towards addressing concerns raised by the Pacific community. The temporary pause on out-of-hours visits during the review period reflects the commitment to conducting a thorough and unbiased assessment. The review aims to prevent any repetition of past actions and to ensure that fairness, respect, and dignity are upheld for all individuals within the immigration system.
