Walker triggers furore with call to cut immigration officers

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaican immigration officers have expressed discontent over statements made by former head of Jamaica Customs, Danville Walker.

While congratulating the Government for successfully implementing the C5 online forms introduced in September to reduce paper usage, Walker suggested that the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) should consider relieving immigration officers of their duties, deeming passport stamping redundant.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) last Friday, Walker said PICA has all the necessary data from the moment the wheels go up, making the physical act of stamping passports unnecessary. However, he indicated that customs officers should still play a role at the island’s airports, stating, “Customs can select from list.”

Currently, immigration no longer processes outgoing passengers. Yet, Walker faced criticism from X users who disagreed with his assertion that the role of immigration officers is merely stamping passports.

Questions were raised about who would deny landing on sight, especially in the case of a dangerous persona non-grata posing as a tourist. Others questioned who would carry out secondary inspections and maintain checks and balances.

In response to the criticism, one commenter argued that “they are intelligence officers too”, emphasising the multifaceted responsibilities of immigration officers beyond stamping passports.

The immigration officers, who spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity, expressed their frustration and criticised PICA management for not stepping forward to defend them following the comments made by the former director of elections and a one-time candidate for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

DISCONTENT

According to the officers, Walker’s remarks have sparked discontent among immigration personnel.

One officer said, “Look at the audacity. His statement is stirring tension among immigration officers.”

Additionally, it was reported that Walker was recently observed touring the airport with PICA’s chief executive officer, Andrew Wynter. However, when The Gleaner contacted Wynter on Monday, he said he had to look into what was written by Walker before he could comment.

Up to last night, the PICA head had not provided The Gleaner with a response to the statements.

In the meantime, MBJ Airports Limited is about to unveil an ‘e-gate’, which is pre-authorisaton for passengers to enter the country. The airlines normally send over passengers information to immigration, which is then uploaded on to the system, which is converted for use at the kiosk.

“All the passengers would need to do is walk up to the e-gate and scan themselves. The gate will then open and they exit to customs,” explained an officer.

For those who are bounced by the system, there will be an immigration officer to accommodate them. The e-gate is intended to help with processing more passengers quickly.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com