The Anti-Mafia Department of the Federal Police arrested three employees of the National Directorate of Migrations in recent hours, accused by federal justice of participating in a scheme aimed at falsifying migration records to benefit Colombians seeking to settle illegally in Argentina.
The case began to be investigated last June, following a complaint filed with the Federal Court No. 1 of Lomas de Zamora by the government of Javier Milei, through lawyers from the National Directorate of Migrations itself.
So far, investigators have managed to identify 101 Colombian immigrants allegedly involved in the scheme.
According to the accusation, the scheme was linked to the time limits required to obtain legal residency in the country. The migration records were allegedly altered so that Colombians could prove a stay that they had, in fact, not fulfilled and thus proceed with their residency applications.
One of the detainees
The procedure began when foreigners entered Argentina with their passports. Once in the country, and with the advice of those within the organization, they initiated the necessary procedures to obtain residency. Investigators noted that the immigrants subsequently returned to Colombia.
The central point of the alleged scheme appeared when the expiration of the permitted absence period for the applicant approached. According to the investigation, members of the gang operating within Migrations intervened in the records to simulate new entries into Argentine territory.
To carry out these false entries, identity cards were used, and biometric data belonging to individuals unrelated to the scheme were manipulated. In this way, the system recorded an entry into the country that had not occurred. Investigators suspect that these operations were conducted in exchange for an alleged bribe.
Another one of the detainees
The accusation also states that the three detained employees did not act alone. Four other individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case, including two women from Paraguay.
As part of the investigation, ten raids were carried out in various locations in CABA, Villa Ballester, and Moreno. During the procedures, 14 cell phones, three vehicles, six laptops, two hard drives, and four USB drives were seized. More than 5000 dollars and several residency certificates were also found.
The justice system is investigating the accused for the crimes of violation of public official duties, bribery, ideological falsehood, and abuse of authority. The investigation continues to determine the extent of the scheme and the involvement of the individuals involved.
