And keeping on the subject of immigration irregularities, here now is part 3 of our interview with former Immigration Director Maria Marin. She rejects many of the conclusions in the Auditor General's reports, but here's what she said about what went wrong in the department.
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"It's clear that other people, corrupt individuals elected and unelected, private and public officers were involved in a corrupt enterprise, facilitated through the immigration department."
"Were you under pressure to help out the elected officials who may have needed or felt whatever obligation to assist people who came to them when you received a letter that says I recommend so and so, please assist this person?"
Maria Marin - Former Director of Immigration
"Mr. Vasquez, I know that there will be an inquiry and those these details I am sure will come out in an inquiry."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"But, did it ever sway that if someone wrote you a letter and say, please help out these 5 foreign names with so and so. Does that have any effect on you or do you simply look at "Do they meet the criteria?""
Maria Marin - Former Director of Immigration
"Procedures having been met, followed and requirements having been met? We ensured that whatever came to that desk, those 2 very important things were always met."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Looking back at all you went through as the director and now this, if you had the career path again and they said Ms. Marin, we would like you to be acting director, if you knew then what you know now, would you still do it?"
Maria Marin - Former Director of Immigration
"There would have to be a whole long list of commitments for me to ever take up that post again. I pray to God that it does not happen, but I will let you know that I love my country and I know that I have children and I pray to God that I have grandchildren and great grandchildren that we will be and continue on the road towards a very respectable country."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"The speaker of the house says he's going to sue the auditor general. Is this something you have contemplated for bringing our name into this disrepute?"
Maria Marin - Former Director of Immigration
"We are all human beings, I can respond to that, but I would want that this be clarified in the proper manner through an inquiry. I would feel vindicated if that the end of that inquiry everything is sorted out as per true facts."
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