ABU DHABI // Very few illegal immigrants have entered the country through its maritime borders in the past three years, officials claimed yesterday.
Counsellor Rashid Al Thaheri, the head of Al Ain Comprehensive Prosecution Service, said that increased patrols in waters around the region had all but stopped illegal immigrants from entering the UAE.
“All except for drug smugglers, because they have different procedures,” he said.
At the monthly media forum held at the Judicial Department, he explained that the country’s land and maritime borders were secure.
“There are monitors, cameras and everything,” he said.
Occasionally though some slip through, he said, but they were usually aided by other parties.
“Some disguise themselves in women’s clothes and some hide under the bags,” he said.
“In general most of them are caught, and compared to other countries very few manage to pass through.”
Ali Al Houssani, head of prosecution for Al Wathba, said that at the start of October a special prosecutor had been assigned to handle pending immigration cases.
So far this month, 46 cases have been referred to the courts, with 45 verdicts already issued.
Mr Al Houssani said illegal immigrants were a severe security threat to the country.
“An infiltrator is like a time bomb walking across the state. He has a mystery identity and you do not know his criminal background, if he carries any contagious diseases, or what is the purpose of his stay in the country,” he said.
“They commit crimes excessively because they have unknown identities.”
He said there had been cases of gangs sneaking into the country to commit robberies and other offences.
They were also causing economic problems.
“The job market sets certain procedures and standards for recruitment, such as examinations, ID cards and qualifications,” said Mr Al Houssani.
Sheltering illegal immigrants is punishable by up to two months in prison and a Dh100,000 fine per infiltrator.
A non-Emirati will also face deportation if it was their second offence.
The largest fine issued was Dh1.5 million and two months in prison for an Arab man who sheltered 15 illegal immigrants.
While this offence is classed as a misdemeanour, helping them enter, transporting them or guiding them at the borders is classed as a criminal offence.
hdajani@thenational.ae
