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Immigration Minister Hulse Backs Up Baptists Estrada
posted (October 18, 2019)
Debra Baptist Estrada is going to take over the Immigration Department next week as the new Director. She replaces Diana Locke who is going on pre-retirement leave.

But, Estrada, who's been with the department for her entire career in the public service, enters against a headwind. According to reports, many of the rank and file within the department oppose her elevation. First, because she only has an associates degree - while many senior officers worked for their Bachelor's degree - and, second - because she is being brought over from the nationality section - and bypassing senior persons in Immigration.

But, as we reported two days ago, Baptist Estrada is the choice of Cabinet - and it doesn't hurt that she's also been recognized for her integrity by the US State Department. Many other senior Immigration officers have had their visas cancelled by the US Embassy.

Today, Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse told the press why Estrada-Baptist is Cabinet's choice - and, about a meeting he had with the US chargé d'affaires to discuss it :...

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"She is by far very well qualified. And has had tremendous experience in immigration across all the various department, so we think she is eminently qualified to hold this post. And of course it is going to be an acting appointment until some confirmation. That is how it is done in the public service. So, she will take over as the acting director temporarily until the appointment is either confirmed or otherwise."

Reporter
"This isn't the result of any pressure from the US? Because it is being alleged that other people who are more senior cannot take the job because they cannot even travel to the US."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Well let me tell you something, yesterday yesterday I met with the Chargé Mr. Keith Giles - and the first thing I said to him is, "This is a courtesy call because you have no authority, and I am sure you are not trying to suggest that you have to suggest to our government who to put at the top." So we're telling you that this is a Cabinet decision and this is going to happen. And we trust you respect it. And that was that."

Reporter
"And then what happens in relation to what seems to be a lack of support from the staff, or disappointment, some of the staff, not all of them."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"I don't know that that is so. First of all we have to things in order, ehm, Marisol, and we will have a meeting, clearly when, when it happens, we will have a meeting with all of the staff, of course the way I normally do things and and Minister Williams to get their full support behind the team. She is not, when, when, when Ms. Diana Locke came in you have to remember she never really grew up in Immigration. Ms. Bapitst-Estrada grew up in Immigration."

Reporter
"But does she fulfill all paper requirements? I am sure there is a list of requirements, you have the education, the experience, etc., because that could be a challenge or could be the reason that people fight to say, ok she can't because legally she doesn't fit the criteria."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Remember we said she is acting appointment, you know, acting appointment."

Reporter
"But, she's acting still."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Well, well you know..."

Reporter
"Without a bachelor's."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"We don't want to go there."

Reporter
"But what does it say to people who have actually also grown in immigration, who are being bypassed who may have been experienced as well, you're saying that she is the most qualified and pertinent person to put."

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Nobody is being bypassed man. She is up there in the ranks of all the other officers and consequently very capable of holding the job."

Baptist-Estrada has been working in the Immigration Department for over 20 years.

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