The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a strict crackdown on illegal immigrants. Authorities are conducting operations against undocumented residents, leading to mass deportations of those arrested.
According to a report by Khaleej Times on Monday (February 3), the general amnesty period in the UAE ended on December 31 last year. Since then, a month-long crackdown on illegal immigrants has been conducted, resulting in the arrest of at least 6,000 people. A senior official stated that over 270 raids were carried out across the country in the past month.
Khaleej Times reported that the campaign, titled “Building a Safe Society,” has been ongoing since January. Currently, 93% of the arrested illegal immigrants are in the process of being deported.
Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), stated that the crackdown will continue. He urged the public not to take violations of immigration laws lightly.
When asked whether any new measures would be introduced to assist illegal immigrants or facilitate visa renewals, he responded that no additional measures would be necessary, as the existing renewal processes are already sufficient, simplified, and practical.
The report mentioned that from September 1 to December 31 last year, a four-month general amnesty was declared in the UAE. During this period, illegal immigrants were given the opportunity to leave the country without re-entry bans or regularize their status through new employment contracts.
He noted that this initiative enabled a significant number of individuals to correct their legal status. Authorities have now intensified nationwide inspections to identify and take legal action against the remaining illegal immigrants.
Brigadier General Saeed Salesh Al Samchi, Acting Director General of ICP’s Identity and Foreign Affairs Department, stated that the operations are being carried out in coordination with relevant government agencies. He further mentioned that legal actions and fines have also been imposed on those who provided shelter or employment to violators. He emphasized the UAE’s zero-tolerance policy towards violators and those facilitating their illegal stay.
Under UAE law, assisting, harboring, or being involved in residence law violations can result in imprisonment and a minimum fine of 10,000 dirhams.
He also stated that if an individual hires a violator without being their official sponsor, they will be fined 50,000 dirhams. Additionally, if a person is caught working for an employer other than their designated sponsor, they will be detained and subjected to legal action, which may include imprisonment, deportation, and a permanent ban on re-entering the UAE.
