U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE PANAMANIAN GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN IMMIGRANT SMUGGLING

According to a story published by the Miami Herald, U.S. intelligence agents have uncovered an immigrant smuggling ring that was being aided by ranking officials in the government of Panama. Operating out of the U.S. Embassy in Panama, the agents were able to eavesdrop on conversations, leading to the discovery.

In one of the alleged conversations, Panama's intelligence chief, Samantha Smith, is heard discussing the arrangement of visas for Chinese immigrants bound for the U.S., the newspaper reported. The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether government officials sold Panamanian visas to Chinese immigrants for illegal entry into the United States.

In June, when Panamanian president Perez Balladares learned of the investigation, three leading members of his government were fired. He denied ever having used improper methods to have visas approved for Chinese citizens. Immigration records in Panama reveal 135 visas that have been issued to Chinese immigrants this year, but according to community leaders, many more than that have arrived.

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