A bill seeking to increase all visa and entry permit fees, except for dependant visa fees, was introduced in the Palau House of Delegates last week by Delegate Lentcer Basilius.
In a phone interview, Delegate Secilil Elbedechel said that lawmakers should not rush in approving the bill, also known as House Bill 8-105-8, without thoroughly studying what would be its impact to Palau as a whole.
“I am calling on my other colleagues to study first the contents of the bill and not rush into approving such measure,” he appealed.
Elbedechel charged that Basilius did not provide a satisfactory basis for proposing such increase nor provided a study to back up his proposal.
“During our last session, he (Basilius) could provide a satisfactory answer to our queries why the fees should be increased, why five percent,” he pointed out.
“Besides, there was no study done by competent authorities regarding the matter that was presented to back up his (Basilius’) proposal,” he added.
He added that he is also doubtful on the assertion of his colleague that it would raise much-needed revenue for the island republic.
Basilius, in his introduction of the bill, said that he anticipates that the increase would be an additional source of funding for Palau.
“I think that contribution would only be minimal,” he declared.
During the last session of the House, Basilius introduced a bill to increase all visa and entry permit fees by five percent, with the exception of dependant visa fees.
Basilius also proposed to amend the law to standardize the penalties paid in case of overstaying foreigners here.
The bill states any foreigner who is unlawfully staying in the country shall be subject to maximum penalty of imprisonment for not more than two years. There shall also be a fine of $20 per day for an alien who is the country without a valid visa.
Any person who employs an alien without a valid visa shall also pay a fine of $20 each day that an alien remains in the country.
The bill states that the director of the Bureau of Immigration may waive or reduce the fine if the alien was not responsible for the overstaying or was incapable of avoiding theoverstay due to health reasons.
The fine against the employer may be waived if clear and convincing evidence is provided that the employer made very reasonable effort to ensure that the alien would not overstay.
The bill states that an illegal alien may also be subject to deportation
House Bill 8-105-8 was passed on first reading Thursday in that august body. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy, Transportation and Commerce for further study. After the committee gives it recommendation, the bill is then put on the table for second reading, then for third and final reading. The Senate would have to approve a similar measure and the President should sign it before it finally becomes a law.
