Northern region's immigration department witnesses increase in illegal immigrants

Malawi: There has recently been an increase in cases of illegal immigrants entering the country, particularly in the Northern Region, and the department of immigration in the Northern Region is working hard to address the issue.

According to Sergeant Francis Chitambuli, Public Relations Officer for Regional Immigration Office North, there have been minor changes to the statistics for people violating Malawi's immigration laws.

"Statistics from last year show 374 arrests for violating various immigration laws such as violating immigration permits, illegal entry, stay, and aiding and abetting illegal immigrants," he said.

So far this year, there have been 530 arrests, a difference of 156.

On the other hand, statistics for deported persons in 2021 were 128, and as of this year, the figure is 158 people deported through various borders and airports, indicating a difference of 30 people.

Chitambuli went on to say that as a department, the figures are concerning, indicating that immigration laws are still not being followed.

As a result of the northern region being used as an entry point for many migrants, immigration officials have implemented a number of measures to combat the malpractices.

Satisfying security through roadblocks, border checkpoints, and patrols on land and even on the waters of Lake Malawi, as some migrants, attempt to circumvent the immigration system by using such routes.

Malawians' mindsets can be changed by disseminating information about illegal migration and its consequences through awareness campaigns and the use of media channels.

As a department, we are working on revising the immigration act, which is nearing completion, and this act will have harsher penalties for those who violate immigration laws than the current act we are using from 1964.