The appeals process against work permit decisions needs to be made independent, according to National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief.Mr Perinchief hosted a press conference this afternoon to reveal plans for a new immigration appeal process that would ensure “justice is not only done, but is also seen to be done”.He said to give members of the public confidence he hopes to set up a statutory body to hear appeals under the Immigration Act. This will be chaired by an experienced lawyer and include other community members, rather than Government Ministers.The changes will be debated under the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2011, which was tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday.The Act currently allows for appeals to Cabinet where an individual is aggrieved of a Minister’s decision on a work permit or of the grant or revocation of Bermuda status.Mr Perinchief said: “Recent decisions of the Supreme Court have clearly indicated that in spite of its vintage and the fact that this kind of appeal has long formed part of our body of laws, greater independence of the tribunal is required.“In fact, our Constitution demands that such a Tribunal be independent of the Executive.“The Court has found that the Cabinet Appeal Tribunal, comprised as it is of Ministers of the Government, simply does not comply with that Constitutional requirement.”Mr Perinchief added that the Government would continue to deliver on its promise to “modernize and improve the immigration regime.”