During the first half of 2016, the Dubai police detained 34.5 thousand people illegally residing in the emirate, and another 1,780 beggars.
Dubai police reported an increase in the number of detained illegal migrants from 24.7 thousand arrested in the first half of 2015 to 34.5 thousand illegal immigrants and 1780 beggars for the same period of the current year.
The Dubai Police Department, dealing with illegal entry into the country, said that 15348 people were detained while trying to make illegal entry. The number of violators increased by 1884 compared to last year. People of Bangladeshi descent topped the list (6.5 thousand men and 381 women). They are followed by Pakistanis (4,232 men and 6 women), Indians (1,102 men and 62 women). The remaining violators came from other countries in Asia and Africa.
Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police for Criminal Investigations, said the Department is working hard to capture the perpetrators in collaboration with other agencies, including police reinforcing patrols. He urged people to turn a blind eye to illegal migration, as 134 of those arrested were wanted for other crimes.
Major Ali Salem warned that hiring illegal workers is also responsible. For the first violation, they face a fine of up to 50 thousand dirhams ($ 13.6 thousand). If the owner of the company is an expat, he will be deported, and entry into the country for residence will be prohibited for him. Citizens face imprisonment of six months.
