Mexico sanctions 1,040 immigration officers for corruption

MEXICO CITY The head of Mexicos National Immigration Institute said Friday more than 1,040 immigration officers have been referred to the internal affairs office or forced to quit after they were caught demanding bribes and other acts of corruption.

Immigration head Francisco Garduo said that the current administration has put cameras in immigration offices, and they captured some surprising acts., including extortion of migrants by officials.

Slips for appointments at immigration offices were sometimes sold by agency employees when they should have been distributed for free, and some employees demanded bribes to accept visa or other applications. Others recommended informal assistants known as coyotes who charge for services rather than helping migrants solve their problems.

Garduo said the problem is being addressed, adding that migrants who come to Mexico by legal routes deserve all our attentions.

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