Racial profiling in the New Zealand Immigration process.

[bakiri]

People who are not victims of racism always claim there is no racism. But many educated, qualified, Zimbabweans with no criminal record whatsoever, have been denied entry into New Zealand on frivolous grounds. Reasons such as "You may refuse to return to your country if things don't work out in New Zealand" are always quoted. But obviously if the applicant was a white Zimbabwean he/she would receive the VISA in record time. If you don't believe me, let me ask you something; are you aware that in the 1980s New Zealand had an official law in place that accorded preference for migrants from Britain, Europe or Northern America based on their race? It may no longer be the official position today but it definitely seems to be the unofficial position.

Green Party MP Keith Locke says "the significant increase in visa rejections for those seeking entry to New Zealand has little to do with terrorism. A special immigration profiling unit has turned down almost three times as many visa applications than in previous years by citizens who come from poor countries. There needs to be a serious inquiry into the vetting procedures of the Immigration Profiling Group, because its work is proving to be prejudicial and overly restrictive criteria are causing great sadness in many New Zealand families." http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00060.htm

An internal investigation found over 500 applications that may have been wrongly declined since 2011. The Chairman for the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment stated that, “They show a lack of training and bias. This reflects poorly on Immigration New Zealand.” Immigration New Zealand are now contacting all potentially affected applicants who sought study and work visas to let them know if they are eligible for reassessment. They have issued an apology for the error, and have told the media that applications will be reassessed as a matter of priority by dedicated specialists. The rejections have meant that hundreds of couples have been separated for up to 2 years while one studies or works in New Zealand and the other is not allowed to join them. Rejections were often based on the grounds that the relationship was not seen as genuine, and in others Immigration New Zealand have accepted that they placed too much emphasis on ensuring applicants had incentives to return home. http://www.enz.org/NewZealandEmigrationSAf.html

[alvrey]

Interesting!

[alvrey]

Well it happens in every western country! Maybe its time black Africans used their education to build the continent and curbed the brain drain! AFRICA NEEDS THEM MORE! The grass is not always greener on the other side. I have met a lot of Kiwis who wouldn't hesitate to immigrate to Africa IN A BLINK!

[jawnbc]

That news article is from 2006--anything more recent?

[ChrisMwn]

not sure of the point of your post. INZ is specifically exempt from Human Rights Act.
" Although the right to freedom from discrimination is protected by the Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993, Immigration New Zealand policies are exempt from the Human Rights Act 1993. This means that the Human Rights Commission, which is the agency that receives discrimination (and other) complaints under the Human Rights Act 1993, cannot receive complaints of alleged discrimination in relation to immigration. "