Immigrants ethnic profiling did not occur: INZ

Immigrants ethnic profiling did not occur informed Immigration New Zealand. Notwithstanding this, Iain Lees-Galloway the Immigration Minister has suspended a pilot program that gave priority to overstayers for being deported. INZ assured that it had not taken into consideration the ethnicity of immigrants for profiling.

Overstayers have been selected for immigration only on the basis of their individual information said INZ. It was not based on the behavior precedent of immigrants with similar features as had been thought, it added.

Nicola Hogg General Manager Immigration New Zealand said that the term profiling has diverse connotations for different individuals. It is regretted that the usage of this word by Immigration New Zealand resulted in misunderstandings, added Hogg. This was informed by the General Manager to Lees-Galloway in a briefing.

In the current scenario, the term profiling just explains the criterions utilized by INZ to give priority to deporting of illegal immigrants, said Hogg. INZ is apologetic for the confusion elaborated the briefing.

Alistair Murray the INZ official was quoted by Radio NZ as saying that the department was utilizing origin nation as one of the factors for assessing profiles. There was a storm after this quote as it was considered that this was the basis for deporting the overstayers. It was also believed to be applicable for other immigrants who had breached the visa terms, as quoted by the Stuff Co NZ.

The issue of immigrants ethnic profiling was into the limelight as it was believed to be the basis for determining the groups of overstayers. These were also considered to be having a criminal history or owing debts to hospitals. It was equated to a pre-crime bureau.

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