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18 women arrested for staying illegally

ABU DHABI — Immigration inspectors in Abu Dhabi yesterday arrested 18 illegal immigrants, all women, in surprise raids carried out as part of a crackdown by the Ministry of Interior on foreigners staying in the country illegally.

According to an official at the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residence Department (ANRD), the arrested foreigners are from different nationalities. One of the arrested women has sneaked into the country illegally.

They were arrested during large-scale raids on residential buildings in the Tourist Club area and Istiqlal Street in Abu Dhabi.

The illegal immigrants were all referred to the concerned authorities for legal action, said the official, adding that the raids carried out countrywide to crack down on illegal immigrants would continue round-the-clock, in accordance with the directives of Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.

Praising the efforts made by immigration agencies, the official appealed to the public to cooperate with the immigration authorities in the country by reporting any violations of immigration laws. He also advised the public not to cover up for illegal immigrants or assist them whether by providing them with shelter or any other means, warning that this will subject them to prosecution.

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