The Department of Home Affairs’ statements relating to the number of temporary residence applications in the backlog change on a weekly basis. The latest, dated 21 February, speaks of a former backlog of 48 000 files, which is now said to be down to 24 323.
Astonishingly the statement spins it as if the centralization of the adjudication process, initiated by the Minister last year, was implemented as a result of an existing backlog and as if it presented the solution to such backlog, whereas in reality it was the cause of it (due to the centralization, the average processing time for temporary residence applications shot up from 4-6 weeks to 6 months and longer)! Note also that in about November 2010, the figure was said to be 17 000, and in December only 5 000. This suggests that things are getting worse, but may also mean that the figures are getting more accurate. Be that as it may, whilst IMCOSA still awaits some results from July of 2010, we have been receiving results on a few more recent applications in as little as two months, which is encouraging and shows that our work is on the right track. Also, the ratio of errors in the permits that are issued has improved slightly. In one court matter the Department has admitted to having lost or misplaced hundreds of applicants' files. The same has happened with some of IMCOSA’s files, but we have fortunately been able to resolve the relevant problems successfully.
In the meantime, Home Affairs’ public relations machine is working hard and newspaper articles quote the Minister as reporting on wonderful changes and improvements to the “old” processes, and on making things easier for skilled immigrants and investors. Nothing could be more removed from reality. I am happy to concede that there have been improvements in the processes since the middle of last year. However, looking at the depth of the crisis that existed then, the current situation is still considerably worse than prior to the centralization. Neither the new processes nor anything contained in the proposed changes to the laws is designed to make things easier for applicants. It was with some outrage that I read the Department’s statement of 21 February, in which the things that had been “improved” are listed. The list includes the 48-hour processing time for extensions of temporary residence permits as something that exists and functions. A survey of more than a hundred Immigration Practitioners registered with FIPSA (Forum of Immigration Practitioners) nationwide showed that not a single one had received an outcome for an extension within 48 hours or heard of anyone having received one.
Our battles on behalf of our clients continue here.
Court Action Against Home Affairs
The court application against Home Affairs by a group of immigration companies on behalf of about 600 of their clients in a bid to press the Minister and Department to finalize long overdue applications, is ongoing and the matter is expected to be heard in court within this month. We would like to reaffirm that IMCOSA is taking part in the legal proceedings in the best interests of our clients.
Update from Imcosa
No comments:
Post a Comment