Justice secretary approves Immigration bureau’s planned cleanup of ‘watchlist’

By Benjamin B. Pulta

11/01/2009

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera has approved the planned cleanup of the “watchlist” or travel bans on persons with pending cases.

In a circular, Devanadera said the Department of Justice (DoJ) has approved the memorandum circular purging the Bureau of Immigration Derogatory Record of Unnecessary or Obsolete Watchlist Orders (WLOs).

The BI is one of the component agencies of the DoJ.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan in a memorandum earlier had sought approval of the memorandum circular purging the BI watchlist orders.

Libanan, in his circular, noted the BI Derogatory Records contain numerous watchlist orders upon request or information of the regular courts, other government agencies or private offended parties which were issued more than five years ago.

“The purpose for which the orders were issued has already been served, rendering its existence unecessary, obsolete and functus oficio”

Other watchlist orders issued by other agencies “issued for more than five years from date are lifted and purged” by Libanan’s circular.

The circular points out that “hold departure orders” issued by the court against would-be fugitives remain in effect and may be removed from the list only upon specific order of the BI commissioner.

Watchlist orders that were issued by the BI by virtue of its inherent power over aliens shall continue to remain in the BI Derogatory Records, shall also remain in effect and shall only be removed upon specific order of the commissioner or associate commissioner.

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