Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Immigration Department in Kagera Region has intensified border surveillance, resulting in the arrest of more than 10,000 illegal immigrants between January and September this year.
Regional Immigration Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Petro Malima, said the operations targeted foreigners who entered or stayed in Tanzania without valid residence permits.
“In total, 10,960 illegal immigrants were apprehended. Of these, 10,130 were deported to their countries of origin while 576 were prosecuted in court,” he explained.
The majority of those arrested were Burundians (9,056), followed by 523 Rwandans, 481 Ugandans, 53 Congolese, 10 Sudanese, four Kenyans, and others from Pakistan and India. Several Tanzanians were also arrested for aiding or harbouring undocumented foreigners.
Mr Malima warned that anyone found assisting illegal immigrants will face prosecution.
He urged residents to cooperate with authorities, noting that border areas such as Ngara, Karagwe, Missenyi and Bukoba present opportunities for legal cross-border trade if rules are respected.
He said illegal immigration poses serious security and economic risks, including pressure on public services and potential involvement in cross-border crime.
“Our role is to secure the nation’s borders while ensuring that legal cross-border movement supports livelihoods and trade. We urge citizens to report any undocumented foreigners,” Mr Malima stressed.
The department pledged to maintain surveillance and awareness campaigns to enforce immigration laws, while enhancing cooperation with neighbouring countries to better manage cross-border movements.
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