17 foreigners caught for immigration violations

17 foreigners caught for immigration violations

JAKARTA (JP): Immigration officers detained 15 Africans and
two Indians for permit violations during raids on three different
spots in the capital on Tuesday.

Coordinator of Jakarta immigration affairs, Hamsuk S. Wijaya,
who led the five-hour operation which began at 9 a.m., said 13
Africans were netted in Palmerah, West Jakarta, two others in
Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, and the Indian nationals in Tanah
Abang, Central Jakarta. Two of the Africans are women.

"We'll deport the aliens soon, immediately after the
questioning of them is completed," Hamsuk told reporters who were
invited to cover the sweep.

Supported by dozens of local police officers, they caught the
people in rented houses and small hotels.

He said the 15 Africans were from Nigeria, Congo, Ghana and
Somalia.

Their alleged offenses include visa overstays, lack of travel
documents and infractions of permit limitations, Hamsuk said.

The Africans tried to escape during the raid but the
immigration officers with the help of the police managed to catch
them, he added.

They are being questioned at immigration offices in the three
respective mayoralties.

Hamsuk said the raids were carried out based on complaints
from the public that many foreigners, particularly Africans, were
involved in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking,
counterfeiting and robbery.

"Governor Sutiyoso asked us to take care of the foreigners and
conduct the raid," he said.

During a series of raids last month, immigration officers
netted at least 60 foreigners, mostly Africans, for similar
reasons.

When asked about trends in passport applications in line with
a predicted exodus ahead of the June general election, Hamsuk
characterized them as "still normal" with about 100 passports
issued per day.

"I don't see anything unusual so far, such as the possible
exodus due to the election."

In the days following last May riots, he said, his office
issued from 300 to 400 passports daily as people fled the
country. (jun)