Immigration laws cover all

WE have been receiving statements against the government for what the groups claim were the illegal arrests of foreign Methodist missionaries in the country. That got us worried. Why?

But when the Bureau of Immigration (BI) came out with the news that the four were held and were undergoing deportation procedures because they have been overstaying and had no work visas, our reaction was: Why indeed not?

As reported by Sun.Star three days ago, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered three foreign Methodist missionaries to leave the country for allegedly engaging in missionary works without a visa and in leftist activities in the country.

The three missionaries are Zimbabwean national Tawanda Chandiwana, American national Adam Thomas Shaw and Malawian national Miracle Osman.

In a world where our people are all over, working for their families and being subjected to all forms of restrictions (even abuses) especially when legal documents are concerned, we should be very aware that all countries do require legal documents to allow you to enter, much less work.

Filipinos bring all sorts of proof of wealth just to get that US visa they have been praying the novena for. And yet, those ranting against the arrest of the missionaries are expecting that our immigration officer must look the other way when they bring in undocumented ones.

This exposes the propaganda machinery of whoever is behind all the statements of protest against the Philippine government as only giving the piece of detail that fits their agenda: that the four missionaries were arrested.

For all those bringing in foreigners to help them in their causes, whether pro or antigovernment or pro-and anti-people, always remember, there are laws to be followed with regards immigration, and it will help if you abide by these or else, you get the boot. That applies wherever you may be on this earth, and not just the Philippines.

Any undocumented alien is illegal, and that is a fact. No amount of protests and condemnations can ever change that.

There are laws. Follow them.