BI cancels visas of 528 foreigners for fraud

June 4, 2019

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) conducted one of the largest mass cancellation of working visas for fraud, involving 528 foreign nationals, of which 11 are Japanese, following an intensified monitoring of aliens in the Philippines.

In a statement Tuesday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente announced after conducting a post-audit of visa applications of six target companies, it was discovered their foreign employees submitted fake Alien Employment Permits (AEP).

The AEP is a permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and is a prerequisite in applying for a work visa with the BI.

“I have directed the intelligence division to conduct a case build-up against said companies after receiving information that they have petitioned foreign nationals by submitting fake documents,” said Morente.

According to him, BI’s Intel submitted their report and recommendation to cancel the visas after confirming that the grantees of the visas submitted fake AEPs.

Morente did not name the companies, saying investigations are still underway involving their sister companies and other affiliates. He said the companies were from Manila, Paranaque, and Caloocan, and were involved in consultancy, residential sales, tutorial, and information technology.

Morente said the Intelligence Division conducted two separate post-audit reports. The first report yielded visa cancellation of 469 aliens in 4 companies while the second report led to the visa cancellation of 59 aliens from two companies.

A total of 528 foreign nationals petitioned by these six companies were subjected to immediate cancellation of their visas due to misrepresentation and fraud.

Those with cancelled visa comprised of 259 Indians, 230 Chinese, 14 Koreans, 11 Japanese, 5 Taiwanese, 3 Vietnamese, and a German, Burmese, Nigerian, Nepalese, Sudanese, and a Yemeni.

“These are just six companies. We expect to uncover more in the next few months,” said Morente.

He encouraged citizens to report illegal aliens to the Bureau.

“We need everybody’s help. Filipinos as well as legally staying aliens must report illegal foreigners in their area, and you can be assured that we will act on your reports,” Morente added.

Morente said the 528 were in “clear violation of Section 37 of the Philippine Immigration Act for obvious misrepresentation and fraud”.

The aliens’ visas were revoked. Morente said last Friday he has instructed the Alien Registration Division to cancel their ACR I-Cards, and the Legal Division to implement the order.

Morente said that the Intelligence Division recommended the cancellation of the BI permits of accredited agents who processed the applications of the 528 aliens.

Morente said there will be further screenings and cleanups following their intensified drive to monitor aliens in the country.

“The BI, through the Intelligence Division, is revitalizing its campaign of eradicating illegal foreign workers in the country,” said Morente. “It will be a campaign that will be felt nationwide, and you can expect more arrests and cancellations in the next few months,” he shared.

Morente said there have been post-audits and visa cancellations in the past, but it is only now that they have conducted massive cancellations.

“I am appalled to learn of big companies that blatantly disregard our laws and submit fake documents,” said Morente. “These companies knowingly hire illegal foreign workers that take away jobs from Filipinos and law-abiding foreigners. Our Intel has been working nonstop to catch foreigners who make a mockery of our laws and procedures,” he stated.

He said they will be forwarding their reports to the DOLE for possible sanctions for the companies.

“We will also be revisiting our procedures to more thoroughly screen applications. This is also why we’re requesting that we gain access to DOLE’s database to be able to verify in real time the authenticity of AEPs,” he said.

The 528 foreigners, said Morente, will be expelled and blacklisted. DMS