Minister Defends Disciplinary Action Against Immigration Officers

The fallout from last week’s immigration sickout is far from over, and now the focus is shifting to accountability. Inside the Immigration Department, tension remains high as several officers have been placed on administrative leave following the mass absence that disrupted operations at the western border with Guatemala. The Prime Minister has already declared the action illegal, and now the Public Service Union is pushing back, warning it may take legal action, arguing the department crossed the line. But Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher says the government is standing on solid ground. He insists the steps now being taken follow established rules, stressing that while officers have the right to raise concerns, there is a clear process, and it must be followed.

 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

“I think that the investigation that is ongoing, there have no, no conclusions have been reached. So I think that’s jumping the gun a little bit. In terms of the conclusions that the president of the PSU reached. The fact of the matter is that you did have persons that were out sick, that they did provide their papers, et cetera, that they’re supposed to provide in accordance with the regulations. Now the ministry at the local level, the Ministry of Immigration, is doing an internal investigation. If there is a grievance at any ministry level, there is a grievance procedure that should be followed. So if these persons had a grievance, whatever that grievance may be, the attempt is to resolve it at that ministry level first. If it can’t be resolved at ministry level, it’s then elevated to the Ministry of Public Service. If at that level, that grievance is unable to be resolved, then of course you then go to the Public Service Commission. Administrative leave is part of the regulations. When an investigation is ongoing, that is a normal procedure so that investigation can be carried out in a free and open manner. So I don’t see any laws being broken. Now as the president of the PSU said, due process requires that if there is a grievance, if there is an issue that is found in the investigation, that those officers are given an opportunity to respond. And that is what we have to ensure that you have to be given that opportunity to say your side. And then from there, if it can’t be resolved, as I said, it then is elevated to the public ministry of public service.”

 

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