QUITO – President Rafael Correa has offered to assist illegal immigrants seeking to stay in Ecuador who provide information about corrupt police.

“I have complaints about police officers who extort (money) from those without papers. There are neighborhoods where they know foreign citizens who are in the country without authorization gather and, instead of pursuing the case, they ask for money” or other things, Correa said during his weekly show.

“I am telling those foreigners publicly. If you help me capture a police officer who is engaged in corrupt practices, we’ll give you the papers so you can be legal in the country,” the president said.

A tip line will be established in the next few days for immigrants who want to report corruption, Correa said.

“If you help us fight corruption and arrest the police officers who are extorting (money from) irregular foreigners in our country, we’ll help you become legal. Don’t be afraid,” the president said.

The government agency in charge of fighting corruption launched an investigation several months ago into alleged irregularities in the legalization of foreigners, especially Cubans.

Several former immigration service officials and notaries who allegedly arranged marriages of convenience for illegal immigrants have been targeted by investigators.