Big drop in number of illegals in Dubai

Dubai - Most of them were arrested from Al Riqqa, Al Qusais, Ras Al Khor, Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Al Safa areas

The Dubai Police's anti-infiltration section arrested 34,881 people for various violations during the first nine months of the last year.
However, there is a decrease in detentions compared to 49,205 arrests in the same period in 2016, a senior officer said, adding that those arrested included infiltrators, residency law violators, illegal vendors and beggars.
Colonel Ali Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, director of the anti-infiltration section at the criminal investigation department (CID) of the police, said that 11,810 were arrested for residency law violations and 18,770 were infiltrators. Among the arrested were 2,355 illegal vendors and 1,840 beggars.
He said that the police are focusing on street vendors selling counterfeit products, especially mobile phones. "Eight Asian vendors were caught while selling goods on the streets and residential areas, where they displayed items which were expired or counterfeit. All of them were illegally residing in the country. Most of them were arrested from Al Riqqa, Al Qusais, Ras Al Khor, Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Al Safa areas as well as many residential neighbourhoods and around labour accommodations.
"The Dubai Police also arrested two suspects from an area under the jurisdiction of Rashidiya police station. They were deported from the country several times but were returning illegally. Also, three Asians, who were violating residency laws, were arrested at Al Quoz traffic intersection for selling mineral water bottles illegally.
"Two infiltrators were arrested for stealing cash from a private company after the 49-year-old Arab manager, J.S., reported the theft. Police officers recovered the stolen money and the suspects confessed to their crime. They had infiltrated into the country from Oman and had no visas."
Police officials across all the emirates are organising inspection campaigns to arrest violators and spread awareness among the community about the dangerous impact of illegal residents. "Community members are urged to cooperate with authorities concerned to curb these phenomena. The civic bodies are conducting inspections at various public places to prevent street vendors, car washers and beggars as well as unlicensed butchers."
As per Federal Decree No. 2 of 2007, if an expatriate is caught working for a company other than the sponsor without an official permit, a fine of Dh50,000 will be slapped on the hiring company, in addition to other penalties in case of repeating the offence. Similarly, those who give shelter or employment to infiltrators or residency law violators will also be fined. 
Federal Law No. 6 of 1973 regarding the entry and residence of foreigners says: No foreigner is entitled to work anywhere, whether paid or unpaid or as an employer, if he is on a visit visa. The person who is on the visa of a company or those who work with a person or institution is not supposed to work with any other party, without written consent and approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Those who violate the law will face an imprisonment of three months and/or a fine not exceeding Dh10,000 and the court will order their deportation. 
amira@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• Dubai