UAE | Visa
342,000 illegal immigrants took advantage of amnesty
More than 72,000 illegals, who collected their outpasses, have not yet left the country, said officials.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:18 November 14, 2007
- 341,958 illegal immigrants made use of amnesty
- 246,699 outpasses were issued
- 174,366 left the country
- 95,000 legalised their status
- 72,333 obtained outpasses but did not leave the country
- As per statistics released by immigration officials on November 3
-
Illegal workers pay heavy price
Illegal workers pay a heavy price for that little extra cash
Abu Dhabi: More than 72,000 illegals, who collected their outpasses, have not yet left the country, said officials.
"People who obtained outpasses but did not leave would face tougher penalties, including jail of up to three years, fines and deportation," said Colonel Nasser Al Awadi Al Minhali, Director of the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department, at a press conference.
He said some of these people would be leaving in the coming weeks, based on factors like availability of air tickets.
Official statistics show that 341,958 illegal residents availed of the amnesty by either legalising their stay or by leaving the country. While 95,000 illegal workers legalised their status, nearly 175,000 left the country.
However, even after the amnesty period ended it was found that 72,333 people who were issued with outpasses have not left the country. Some are still in the process of leaving the country.
New rules that were put to effect following the end of the three-month long amnesty period impose heavy penalties on those who failed to make use of the amnesty despite being issued with outpasses.
Colonel Mubarak Rabiya Mubarak, the Director of Fujairah Naturalisation and Residency department, said that in Fujairah alone, nearly 375 people who were issued with outpasses have not yet left the country as per the latest figures.
"A total of 3,484 illegal workers applied to either leave the country or legalise their stay during the amnesty period. However, not all of them have left the country."
Col. Mubarak said that his department has been organising several awareness campaigns to educate the public about the need to stop sheltering illegal immigrants.
"Our campaigns especially focused on educating farm owners in rural areas about the harmful effects of hiring illegals and also warned the public about the hefty penalties being implemented."
"It was found that some illegals were involved in criminal activities such as theft or issuing bad cheques. We are coordinating with the police departments to ensure that legal action is taken against them," he said.
Criminals caught
Dr Abdullah Ali Bin Sahoa, Director of Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department, said that 15,456 people who were issued outpasses from Sharjah failed to leave the country.
"Among 42,819 people who applied to amend their legal status or leave using amnesty, 23,534 people legalised their status and 3,829 people left."
In Sharjah, 19,285 outpasses were issued in all.
Dr Sahoa said, "Fingerprinting the illegal immigrants before they were allowed to leave also helped in nabbing criminals. Nine criminals mainly involved in theft were caught this way", he said.
Figures: 95,000 legalise their status
Hunt for overstayers
Major General Mohammad Salem Bin Awaida Al Khaili, Director-General of Department of Naturalisation and Residency, said the department would implement a strict plan to pursue and prosecute violators of the law on entry and stay of foreigners, as per the directives of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior. He said there would be extensive cooperation between various government departments and security agencies to ensure that no illegal immigrants stay in the country.
There would be intensified inspection campaigns against violators of the law, he said following a visit yesterday to the Sharjah Police.
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