201 foreigners deported by Tual immigration

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Over 201 non-nationals have been deported by the Tual Immigration Office in Southeast Maluku, Maluku, in the last eight months over problems with their passports or immigration documents, an official says.

Head of Tual Immigration Office J. Saija said on Monday his office had sent 201 non-nationals -- 133 Burmanese, 53 Thais, 13 Cambodians and two Myanmarese -- back to their home countries since April this year.

"Although we deported 201 foreigners, there are still many foreigners who have no passports or legal immigration documents in Southeast Maluku. But, we will soon remedy the situation," Saija told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said the office, which was set up on Jan. 3 this year, is in need of supporting facilities and financial assistance.

The immigration office's data shows that most of the non-nationals illegally staying in Southeast Maluku are fishermen who have made a life for themselves on small islands like the Kei Besar and Kei Kecil islands. Some have been in the regency for to 10 years.

"Some of the foreigners have even raised families with local women," Saija said.

He said that of the 201 foreigners, 15 had "married" local women and had children. Some had as many as three children but could not take them with them due to their legal status.

"These foreigners mostly live together with the locals and have children without a legal wedding," Saija said

The Tual Immigration Office, he said, would soon launch an operation on Kei Besar and Kei Kecil islands.