Over 4,000 on immigration blacklist

Over 4,000 on immigration blacklist

JAKARTA: Immigration authorities blacklisted 4,472 Indonesians and foreigners in 2002.

Some 214 people were barred from leaving the country and 4,258 were banned from entering.

The authorities did not specify how many foreigners had been blacklisted.

Indonesia deported 1,698 foreigners in 2002 -- 753 seeking refugee status, 494 for overstaying and 451 for visa violations or other immigration offenses.

Topping the list were Iraqis, with 362 deported, followed by 349 Afghans and 320 Chinese.

Indonesia had become a prime destination for Iraqis and Afghans seeking to enter Australia illegally. --AFP