And at the beginning of last week, Immigration officers staged a sick out at the Western Border. On day one 8 were missing from work and on day 2, ten were missing. It was suspected that the sickout was staged in protest of the port commander who they feel has an authoritarian management style. While speaking with the Director of Immigration, he disclosed that an investigation has been launched in collaboration with Admin and the Police department to ensure it is done fairly:
Lawrence Thompson, Director - BMIS
"The only abnormal was one day when we heard about that sick out. Within a few hours, we were able to activate other officers and mobilize them to go to the port of entry and take up position at that port."
"So nothing was abnormal thereafter. From Tuesday, Monday night, Tuesday, all the way up to this time, the border has been operating at its capacity and there has been no disruption thereafter. And that was done in order to ensure that the services of the Department of Border Management and Immigration is maintained because we recognize the critical role that that border plays as a border with Guatemala."
"And so as a contributor to the national security agenda, we prioritize that border to ensure that their operations maintain at a level that does not allow for disruption of travel or security."
The officers are back at work now and their absence did not hold the border hostage as officers from other parts of the country and if found guilty of anything, penalties will be levied upon the officer.
Lawrence Thompson, Director - BMIS
"An investigation has been launched. We have a senior staff, senior personnel who is leading this investigation. And we will pursue that investigation to determine the full nature of that disruption. And we will take whatever necessary action is needed to ensure that these type of incidences do not reoccur or disruption."
"As I had mentioned, the integrity of that border is paramount to our strategic objective. We recognize that the operational aspect of that border should not be compromised and any issue or any attempt at creating any disruption will not be continued in any ways."
"And so we are engaged in an investigation. We have obtained the assistance of the police to allow us to have objective and proper investigation. And if it is that any results of this investigation lead to any disciplinary matters, then we will pursue those."
Reporter
"And are those officers still working at the moment or are they like on some kind of leave until the investigation is over?"
Lawrence Thompson, Director - BMIS
"They are still working at this moment. We have actions in place that we are activating. And so this is a fresh, an investigation that is still somewhat fresh. And as it moves along, then other administrative actions will be activated as well. But for the moment, all officers are at their ports, at their port of entry. We have a full team of officers out there to ensure that the board maintains its operational capacity."
