INM staff apparently registered foreigners from Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East as being married to Mexican citizens, thus giving them an automatic right to become permanent residents.
Initial investigations suggest the officials charged around 7,000 dollars to issue each phony document.
Authorities became aware of the wrongdoing after more than 30 files pertaining to “bogus” immigrants that had been considered “lost” turned up at the Chapala INM delegation.Vera Lira said those involved in the fraudulent operation have since left the institute but are under investigation by police. Since June of last year, 70 employees resigned from the Jalisco INM delegation because they were unable to demonstrate their trustworthiness, he said. Not all were necessarily involved in the corrupt practices, he added.
Reports suggest the falsification operation went on for two years and succeeded in bringing some 50 foreigners into the Mexico from countries such as Pakistan. Iran and China.
Authorities also believe the foreigners used the phony permits to try and help their applications for visas to enter the United States.