Just one day after ICA officers had caught 45 immigration offenders (IOs) during an operation in Geylang, they were hot on the heels of IOs again. This time round, they had teamed up with police officers to conduct a joint operation in a forested area near Old Tampines Road. A total of 43 IOs were arrested during the operation in the early hours on 5 April 2006.

2 Under the cover of darkness, the officers moved stealthily into position with the targeted makeshift huts in sight. When the command was given, the officers moved in quickly and arrested the IOs who were sleeping in the huts. Many of the IOs were caught by surprise and did not have time to react before they were arrested.

3 The 43 IOs arrested were male nationals from India. Their ages range from 21 to 55 years old. ICA is currently investigating their cases.

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 three strokes of the cane.

5 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.mom.gov.sg. Everyone has a part to play in keeping Singapore safe and secure. We urge members of public with information regarding immigration offenders to call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150 or contact the Police.