More Than 5,000 Cards Issued To Normalize Immigration Status in Panama

(Panama-Guide) - La Prensa - As of midday yesterday, Sunday, the National Immigration Service (SNM) has already issued more than 5,000 cards to foreigners who before were in Panama illegally, and who are now in the process of normalizing their immigration status thanks to a program at the Atlapa Convention Center. These cards were issued in the first three days of the extraordinary immigration normalization process dubbed "Panama, Melting Pot of Races" which started on 16 July 2010. Didacio Camargo, a spokesman for Immigration, told TVN News that so far mostly Colombians have been taking advantage of this program to normalize their status in the country. Camargo said they have reduced the fines for people who have children born in Panama. He added fines were reduced in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Also, processing times were reduced.