Tanzania in new strategy to control illegal immigrants

Tanzania is coming up with a new strategy to plug all loopholes that allow infiltration of illegal immigrants into the country, east Africa's second largest economy and the twelfth largest in Africa.

The new strategy came in the wake of increasing crimes in the country.

Tanzania's Home Affairs' deputy minister, Hamad Yusuf Masauni said in capital Dodoma that in the strategy a number of security organs will be involved instead of leaving the task of dealing with immigrants with the Immigration Department.

He said that all security organs will be involved in the new move as the influx of illegal immigrants has increased the number of infiltration of weapons from outside Tanzania.

"The increasing number of immigrants has been fueling criminal acts in the country. That's why we're determined to completely control this challenge," Masauni said.

According to the minister, Tanzania has discovered nearly 300 entry points which are being used by illegal immigrants to get into the east African nation.

"We're looking for financial resources to deploy security officials in those notorious areas for the illegal entry of migrants," he said.

All Tanzania's security organs, the minister said were informed on the new strategy, which also will involve local communities.

The country early this year started an operation to expel foreigners using illegal working permits, especially teachers, from neighbouring countries.

Immigration office confirmed that at least 350 foreigners in Dar es Salaam alone were working without legal documents. Many private schools hire English teachers from neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Uganda. Endit