Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers mounted an island-wide operation against immigration offenders at several HDB flats, lodging houses and eateries over a span of two days, from 7 to 8 Apr 2003. The series of raids resulted in an arrest of 75 immigration offenders, the largest number netted since the formation of ICA.

2 A total of four HDB units, three eateries and two lodging houses were ambushed and raided between 0400 hours on 7 Apr 2003 to 0300 hours the next day. The 75 immigration offenders (62 males and 13 females) arrested were from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the People's Republic of China and Sri Lanka (see Annex for the breakdown on the nationalities arrested).

3 In one lodging house located at Joo Chiat, a total of 19 immigration offenders (18 males and 1 female) were found. While in other HDB units and lodging house in Haig Road, Bishan, Compassvale, Bukit Batok and Kim Keat, the number of immigration offenders arrested ranged from 3 to 12. A total of five immigration offenders were arrested while working in the three eateries in Ubi, Chai Chee and Pasir Panjang. The immigration offenders arrested had entered Singapore illegally or overstayed and aged between twenties and fifties. Five genuine and two forged Singapore Identity Cards were found in the possession of some of the immigration offenders and were seized.

4 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay or enter Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of 3 strokes of the cane. Under the National Registration Act (Cap 201), any person without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, knowingly obtains or is in possession of or makes use of a forged identity card or an identity card other than his own; shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine up to $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to 10 years or to both.

5 Although the number of immigration offenders (illegal immigrants and overstayers) arrested has declined by 15 per cent from 16,000 in 2001 to 13,550 in 2002, ICA will not let up on eliminating the presence of immigration offenders in Singapore. "The latest island-wide operation on 7-8 Apr 2003 which resulted in the arrest of 75 immigration offenders is an indication of our continued efforts in eliminating the presence of immigration offenders in Singapore and to make Singapore a safe and secure best home for all," said Mr Wong Kong Wa, Commander(Field Operations).

6 ICA would also like to remind the public that it is an offence to offer shelter and employment to immigration offenders. Homeowners can make use of ICA's online checking system, called "VERIFI" (or Verification of Foreigner Immigration Status) to verify the immigration passes of their prospective tenants. VERIFI can be accessed through ICA's internet website: http://www.ica.gov.sg and allows users to receive an instantaneous reply on the validity of the immigration passes presented to them. Similarly, MOM has a system to allow the checking on the validity of work passes at its website: http://www.gov.sg/mom. Members of public with information regarding immigration offenders can call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150 or contact the Police.

END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
8 Apr 2003

Annex

Breakdown on the Number of Immigration Offenders Arrested During an Island-wide Operation conducted on 7 and 8 April 2003

Nationality Male Female Total
Bangladesh 3 0 3
India 20 0 20
Indonesia 0 1 1
Malaysia 2 0 2
Myanmar 13 1 14
People?s Republic of China 6 9 15
Sri Lanka 18 2 20
Total 62 13 75