Kupang (Antara Bali) - Immigration officers in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, have arrested some 900 illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern countries, who were headed for Australia, this year.
The head of the local immigration office, Silvester Sili Laba, stated here on Thursday that the biggest arrest was made in June, when 87 illegal immigrants were arrested in Sumba waters.
He said all the illegal immigrants were held at the immigration detention centre, but 11 of them had escaped and were still at large.
"For the immigrants from Middle Eastern countries as well as from Afghanistan and Pakistan, the East Nusa Tenggara waters offer the safest transit route to Australia, which is their dreamland of freedom and hope," Silvester noted.
He said East Nusa Tenggara was considered an ideal transit route because Australia was just a short boat ride from the province.(IGT/T007)
Related News
Nine Illegal Immigrants Arrested at Jambi Airport
Tuesday, 10 September 2013 19:49
115 Illegal Immigrants Arrested
Monday, 2 September 2013 14:25
Four Chinese Deported from Central Sulawesi
Wednesday, 28 Agustus 2013 9:22
19 Afgan Immigrants Caught to Australia
Thursday, 22 Agustus 2013 19:01
Boat Carrying Immigrants Sinks
Wednesday, 24 Juli 2013 9:26
Malaysia Deports 93 Problematic Indonesian Workers
Saturday, 22 Juni 2013 13:28
Police Detained 77 Illegal Immigrants
Tuesday, 28 Mei 2013 18:25
Illegal Immigrants Arrested In Garut
Thursday, 15 November 2012 15:05
Law Enforcement Stepped Up On Human Trafficking
Monday, 12 November 2012 15:56
Malaysia Frees 13 Indonesian Fishermen
Monday, 27 Februari 2012 16:22
Immigration Sends Afghans To Pekanbaru Detention House
Monday, 6 Februari 2012 12:22
Illegal Immigrant Boat Capsizes, No Fatalities
Saturday, 4 Februari 2012 18:58