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| Monday, 2 June 2003 |
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UAE crackdown on illegal expatriates DUBAI, Sunday(AFP)-The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a crackdown on illegal immigrants Sunday after an amnesty failed to weed out more than 300,000 estimated overstayers including Sri Lankans and other Asians, officials and newspapers said. The Interior Ministry announced searches and raids would be made for illegals who face up to 10 years in jail and a 10,000-dirham (2,725-dollar) fine. People sheltering illegals will be deported. "Everyone involved will be held liable, the offenders and those who assist them by not reporting to the authorities," said immigration department director Brigadier Hader Khalaf al-Muhairi. Gulf News reported that extra patrol boats have been deployed in UAE waters while helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft will monitor the borders. No figures were provided for the exact number of people who took advantage of the amnesty opened on January 1 and extended for a month to May 31. However, according to official figures the number failed to reach the expected 100,000. Press reports estimated the departures around 80,000. In early April, Muhairi said more than 70,000 illegal immigrants had taken advantage of the amnesty to go home. The immigration chief told the official WAM news agency he expected the figures to double by the end of April, with officials estimating the number of illegals at more than 400,000 when the amnesty began. In an effort to ensure those leaving do not return for a period of at least one year on different passports, the Interior Ministry is scanning their irises. The oil-rich UAE attracts huge numbers of Asians seeking work, mainly as labourers and domestic workers, but many stay on after their visas expire. Entry into the Emirates also requires a local sponsor. As many as 85 percent of the 3.1 million UAE population are foreigners, with Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Indians, Iranians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans accounting for the bulk of expats. |
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