A pro-government lawmaker has presented a legislative proposal to deport ill-speaking foreigners from Panama for a period of up to 15 years, in a standard that also seeks to overturn a massive regularization that has benefited thousands of people. migrants. The initiative, promoted by MP Zulay Rodríguez, of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party (center-left), aims to expel “foreigners who publicly demonstrate offenses and insults to Panamanian nationality”, without however specifying the type of offenses . This project “is loaded with hatred, resentment and a few splashes of xenophobic sentiment,” said Wednesday Rafael Rodríguez, president of the Association of Residents and Naturalized of Panama (Arena). Migrants fear that any mere opinion or street dispute could lead to deportation, regardless of the status of the migrant, who could lose his job or be forced to separate from his family. “If a foreigner says he doesn’t think Panama’s plants or flowers are the most beautiful or that he doesn’t like sancocho (local dish) or such food, then there is offense and deportation.” , said Rafael Rodríguez. However, MP Rodríguez alleges that the bill aims to “present a comprehensive reform of immigration law” more “in line with reality” to “defend our country and our nationals”. “It is not about being xenophobic,” added the lawmaker in his proposal. Since 2008, Panama, with 4.2 million inhabitants, has granted more than 180,000 residence permits, of which nearly a quarter were intended for Venezuelans, whose country is affected by a social and economic crisis. Their presence has generated sporadic conflicts with some Panamanians, who accuse foreigners of “taking away” their jobs and making fun of the country that hosts them, complaints promoted by MP Rodríguez. The initiative is under discussion in the National Assembly, which has a pro-government majority, and although it is promoted by a legislator from the same political party as President Laurentino Cortizo, the government has not spoken until now. The project also seeks to reverse the massive regularization of migrants that has taken place in recent years. In these processes, authorities gave foreigners a two-year temporary card so that they could later opt for permanent residence. If approved, thousands of foreigners can be left in legal limbo. “We believe that over 60,000 foreigners will be affected,” despite the fact that they “fought, sweated and gave their lives for this country,” Rodríguez said. The proposal also seeks to expel those who commit crimes; cancels the residence of migrants who exercise professions exclusive to Panamanians and tightens fines. The situation has caused “uncertainty” and thousands of people “are already desperate,” Rodríguez added. dmr
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