- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:31 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:05
More than 22,000 people, mostly Asians, tried to sneak into Dubai last year in search of jobs but were captured by authorities within an intensified drive to stem illegal immigration, according to a senior police officer.
The number is higher than that in 2010 but is far below the record 45,549 infiltrators captured in the Gulf’s business hub in 2009, said Brigadier Khalil Al Mansoori, head of the criminal investigation department.
His figures showed a total 32,186 people, mainly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other Asian countries, were arrested in the emirate in 2011. They included 22,173 illegal migrants and 4,762 expatriates who absconded from their original sponsors.
“We have intensified a campaign to curb illegal immigration and those who violate migration laws in the country….more than 90 per cent of the offenders arrested last year were Asians,” he told the Arabic language daily Alittihad.
He said the Department had drawn up a strategy to combat infiltration, adding that it includes more police and coast guard patrols, radars and the creation of a special unit named “the counter-infiltration department.”
“Many of those captured trying to enter the country illegally had been seized before and deported…we are coordinating with all concerned authorities to combat this phenomenon given its serious consequences on the society as many illegal migrants are involved in theft and other crimes,” he said.
Mansoori repeated a warning to employers, landlords and others against hiring or giving home to illegal entrants and absconders, stressing that they must check the status of expatriates before helping them.
“We also appeal for the public to report any absconder or illegal migrant because this will help us fight crime and other negative aspects in the society.”
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