Greens call on Government to rethink immigration
The Green Party is calling for an overhaul of the immigration system, which they say treats “migrant workers as cheap labour and secondclass citizens” and discriminates based on wealth and nationality.
In an open letter to Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi, the party is calling for a broad amnesty programme for people who’ve overstayed their visa, and for temporary visa holders to be granted residency.
“Migrant communities are flourishing in Aotearoa, as people come from around the world to create a good life for them and their families,”
“All migrants deserve to have their dignity, rights and humanity honoured by Immigration NZ and our Government,” Green immigration spokesman Ricardo Menendez March said.
“But in Aotearoa New Zealand, we have an immigration system that discriminates and separates, treating migrant workers as cheap labour and second-class citizens.
“Migrant communities are an important part of the tapestry of Aotearoa. Migrant workers played a key role in our response to Covid-19 and we have an opportunity to ensure they have the ability to fully participate in society by granting them residency.”
Menendez March and spokesman for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono launched the letter yesterday at an
All migrants deserve to have their dignity, rights and humanity honoured by Immigration NZ and our Government
Ricardo Menendez March
Auckland event attended by Pasifika and migrant community advocates, including members of the Polynesian Panthers movement.
The group has been calling for a government apology over the dawn raids of the 1970s, which targeted Pasifika.
Tuiono, who supports the call for the Government to apologise for the dawn raids, says this is why the government must create a pathway towards residency for overstayers.
“The Dawn Raids are a shameful stain on New Zealand history, defined by racial tension and unrest as police and immigration authorities victimised Pacific Islanders they suspected of abusing the terms of their visas.
“Migrants on temporary visas have no clear pathways to residency, are left dependent on dodgy employers, and are separated from their families and loved ones through rules that discriminate on wealth, nationality and relationships.”
The open letter calls for seven changes to the immigration system:
1. Create pathways to residency.
2. Create a broad amnesty programme for people who overstay.
3. Decouple work visas from single employers.
4. Require Immigration New Zealand to stop visa processing delays.
5. Remove salary criteria for the skilled migrant category and parent reunification category visas.
6. Review partnership visas to ensure they are culturally competent.
7. Devolve resources to hapu¯ , iwi and wha¯ nau to link between migrants and local communities.