Africa-Press – Angola. Cases of illegal stay of foreign citizens registered a significant decrease, in the province of Lunda Sul, with the repatriation of 132 irregular immigrants, in 2023, compared to 219 in the previous year.
According to a note from the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME) Thursday, the repatriates are all citizens of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
After their arrest, as part of actions to combat illegal immigration into the national territory, they were all sent to the Illegal Aliens Detention Center (CIT) in Lunda Norte for subsequent repatriation.
The arrests made this year correspond to a decrease of 87 cases compared to 2022, says the note, specifying that the arrests took place during “Operation Lussolo”, which covered markets, public roads, commercial establishments and taxi stops.
Meanwhile, two citizens of the DRC are arrested and sentenced in the “Luzia” prison for committing common crimes.
In the period from January to December 2022, 20 voluntary departure guides were issued to foreign citizens of different nationalities, for not having the means of subsistence and illegal stay in the country, while 14 immigrants were returned to freedom, adds the document.
The note also states that 129 administrative processes were successfully concluded, four in progress, 29 with procedures completed and sent to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) with the SME and 37 received by the PGR, for the continuation of the respective procedures, all against foreign citizens of different nationalities.
The value of fines applied and various migratory acts carried out increased by eight million, 384 thousand 858 kwanzas to 50 million, 157 thousand and 38 kwanzas in relation to the same previous period, having been deposited in the Single Treasury Account (CUT).
In the field of migratory acts, 877 ordinary passports were requested and issued to national citizens, 571 more compared to 2022, as well as 346 visas issued and extended in favor of foreign citizens and 21 resident cards delivered.
The note also informs that 94 passports remain to be collected at the SME counter in Saurimo.
Perspectives and difficulties
The SME in Lunda Sul plans to increase actions aimed at combating illegal immigration and its assistance, counting on the participation of citizens, reinforcing staff at the Chiluange border post, extending services to the municipalities of Dala, Muconda and Cacolo, as well how to promote training actions for human resources.
Regarding difficulties, the SME identified the lack of a detention center for illegal immigrants to enable their concentration and installation, for subsequent repatriation or referral of foreign offenders, as well as means of transport, to facilitate inspection work in border areas and the effective.
The SME in Lunda Sul controls 825 foreign citizens with the status of holders of a work visa, temporary stay, residence, refugee card and provisional declarations of asylum application and holders of receipts.
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