From its humble beginnings as a division of the Bureau of Customs in 1899 the Bureau of Immigration stands before you. This wasn’t always its home.
The Bureau of Immigration initially focused more on goods than people. Customs duties were prioritized over controlling foreign nationals. This changed. In 1937 the Bureau shifted to the Bureau of Labor. This was mainly due to the increase of Chinese immigrants running businesses.
The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 formally established the Bureau of Immigration. It was signed into law by the President of the United States. Its location was not always here in Intramuros either. It moved numerous times.
The Bureau of Immigration briefly resided in Bilibid Prison during World War II. Can you imagine? Then it moved to the South Harbor area. Later it transferred to the Customs Bureau. By 1951 the Bureau of Immigration finally found its home in Intramuros.
In 1972 under Martial Law the Bureau of Immigration became the Commission on Immigration and Deportation. It gained both administrative and quasi-judicial powers. This included deportation cases. This changed in 1987 when it was renamed the Bureau of Immigration again. The Commissioner remained the head.
Today the Bureau of Immigration regulates the entry stay and exit of all foreign nationals in the country. It monitors Filipino citizens going abroad. It issues essential immigration documents. The Bureau also investigates deports and repatriates foreign nationals. This vital government agency plays a crucial role in the nation’s development. The Bureau stands as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of people and the stories they carry. It’s a place of constant movement and change.