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Illegal aliens given 30 days to formalise stay
2006-02-25 07:55:38
By Judica Tarimo
Unregistered aliens have been put on notice to register with the Immigration Department or risk arrest and deportation.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bernard Membe has ordered the immediate registration of foreigners who are in the country illegally.
The government’s determination to flush out aliens opens a new front in the efforts to combat the influx of illegal immigrants.
According to the deputy minister, an extensive operation to identify illegal immigrants is underway.
The aliens have been given between February 24 and March 25 this year to register with Immigration Department.
After the deadline, he said, an all-out crackdown would be mounted to flush out aliens who fail to comply with the order.
He emphasised that the one-month ultimatum is enough time for foreigners to regularise their stay in the country.
’We are serious about this and the government will stick to the deadline to ensure that immigrants are flushed out,’ Membe said during a television interview on Thursday.
He said preparations were underway to carry out a sting operation that would spare no alien without proper documents.
After the deadline, said the deputy minister, the operation will lead to arrest, deportation or legal action.
He had a strong message to foreigners: ’Those hiding in the country must surrender to the authorities before the strong arm of the law catches up with them.’
Referring to Tanzanians abroad, Membe said since they are obliged to adhere to immigration laws of the countries they reside for schooling, business or any other professional work.
There was no reason why foreigners in Tanzania should not respect the laws of the land, he stressed.
He went on: ’This is the country that has its laws and regulations and foreigners have no excuse to disregard the established regulations,’ he emphasised.
The 30-day ultimatum issued by the government follows exposes by this paper on the influx of illegal immigrants from India, Pakistan, Horn of Africa, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other neighbouring countries.
The minister also supported recent revelations by The Guardian of the numerous entry points used by immigrants who found it easy to settle in Tanzania.
’The government has learnt of the existence of 135 panya routes that enhance entry of illegal immigrants,’ said Membe.
However, investigations by this paper discovered that some officials in the Immigration Department assist aliens to settle in the country.
The existence of illegal immigrants has contributed a great deal to the rising crime wave.
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