Kota Kinabalu: A total of 206 undocumented Filipino nationals were deported from Sabah to Zamboanga on Thursday, said State Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof.
The group included 119 men, 43 women, 28 boys and 16 girls, all of whom were detained at the Papar Immigration Depot prior to repatriation.
Those deported, aged between 11 months and 63 years, had completed their sentences and possessed valid travel documents issued by the Philippine Embassy.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});This latest operation brings the number of Filipino nationals deported from Sabah this year to 4,970, contributing to a cumulative total of 6,273 foreigners repatriated to date.
Children involved in the operation were accompanied by guardians during the journey to ensure their safety and well-being, according to the department.
Sitti Saleha said the department would continue to step up enforcement to ensure that those who violate immigration laws are dealt with accordingly.
She also reminded the public that the department does not engage or authorise any third parties or agents to handle immigration passes or repatriation matters on its behalf.
“Employers are urged to verify the status of foreign workers and refrain from hiring individuals without valid documents,” she said.
Sitti Saleha stressed that action could be taken under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963 against those who harbour or employ undocumented migrants.
The department reiterated its commitment to conducting regular enforcement operations in efforts to curb the presence of illegal immigrants in the State.
