Over 900 illegal immigrants nabbed in Kagera

KAGERA: THE Immigration Department in Kagera Region, in collaboration with the Police Force, has intensified border surveillance, leading to the arrest of more than 900 illegal immigrants found residing in the country without valid residential permits.

The Regional Immigration Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Petro Malima, said a total of 131 illegal immigrants were apprehended in the last four days, 92 in Ngara District and 38 in Karagwe District.

He revealed that 52 of the arrested individuals were travelling in a bus headed for Mwanza City. “Between June and July this year, over 900 foreigners have been arrested for entering and living in Tanzania without following the required immigration procedures,” said ACI Malima.

He added that in June alone, 725 immigrants were nabbed and 637 of them were deported to their respective countries of origin.

The majority of the arrested individuals were Burundians (514), followed by Ugandans (59), Rwandans (41), nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (6), Chinese (5), and others from Kenya, Ethiopia and Pakistan. Furthermore, 53 Tanzanian nationals were also apprehended for allegedly aiding and abetting the illegal immigrants.

“The individuals from China, Pakistan and Ethiopia had valid visas but had overstayed,” ACI Malima noted.

ACI Malima, said that since July 1 this year, a total of 271 illegal immigrants were apprehended in Kagera Region.

According to Mr Malima, 74 were arrested in Missenyi District, 35 in Biharamulo, 38 in Karagwe, while 92 Burundians were apprehended in Ngara District. He said arrangements were underway to deport them to their countries of origin.

He issued a stern warning to individuals who assist or hide illegal immigrants, stressing that legal action will be taken against them.

“I would like to warn Tanzanians and all individuals who conspire with illegal immigrants to enter and stay in the country contrary to the laws of the land that they will be arrested and arraigned as per law. We must work together to address this problem and avoid violating immigration laws,” he said.

He appealed to residents of the region to report illegal immigrants to authorities so that appropriate action could be taken.

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“Border areas between countries present valuable opportunities for the people living there. Residents should take advantage of these areas to engage in crossborder trade and improve their livelihoods provided they meet all legal requirements. As the government, our role is to ensure that these communities’ benefit, but they must also comply fully with immigration regulations,” he added.

Mr Malima further said immigration officials, in collaboration with local government leaders, were working closely to identify individuals living in the country without proper residential permits.

“Our immigration officials, in close collaboration with the police force and village leaders, are actively working to identify individuals residing in the country without proper residential permits,” he said.