New immigration rule for foreigners out

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A NEW immigration rule published by the Department of Justice yesterday said foreigners facing deportation cases will have to leave the country in 30 days even if their appeal are still pending before the Department of Justice.

The New Rules on Appeal of Immigration and Immigration-Related Matters will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

The new rules apply to appeals from decisions, resolutions or orders of the Bureau of Immigration concerning immigration matters including but not limited to deportation, exclusion, alien registration, blacklisting, removal, derogatory listing, citizenship, visa, visa waivers, release on bail or permits in the exercise of its powers and functions under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

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It provides that the filing of an appeal will not stay the execution of the decision, resolution or order issued by the BI unless ordered by the DOJ chief.

Presently, foreigners cannot be deported while their appeals are still being heard.

In a related development, the DOJ said it will come out with concrete measures within the month to address security problems and other concerns regarding the BI’s visa upon arrival privilege granted to Chinese citizens.

DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete said the DOJ and BI are reviewing the visa rule to prevent abuses in its implementation.

“It’s still under study. We hope to complete our study and recommendation on the draft proposal within the month,” Perete told reporters Wednesday.

The review was prompted by concerns raised by various sectors, including National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, that the influx of undocumented Chinese constitutes a possible security threat to the country.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier called for a careful vetting of foreigners before they are issued visas by consulates abroad.

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