EASTERN PROVINCE

BUGESERA — About 100 alleged illegal immigrants were on Wednesday arrested in Nyamata town, in a house-to- house hunt by different security personnel.

The immigrants who were mostly of Burundi and Congolese origin were found without proper identification. They were assembled at Nyamata town playground for screening.

Police said they were considering deporting those without proper identification. The search which was extended from houses to roads was aimed at checking security threats in the district.

Apart from foreigners, others without any identification, mainly youth between 18-25 years said they hailed from other neighbouring districts. It was noted that many foreigners enter illegally in the country looking for jobs.

Some among them who talked to The New Times admitted that they had not used official borders to enter Rwanda. Jean Gasore, a Burundian national, said he used narrow foot paths known as "Panya routes” to reach Bugesera.

"I and other 10 friends we passed through Panya to enter Bugesera from Burundi because we had no money to buy passports and work permits. Our aim was to come and get jobs in Nyamata for our survival,” Gasore said.

According to police, most of the illegal immigrants have been working as housemaids, cyclists, barbers and night watchmen. Addressing the group, district Mayor Gaspard Musonera, cautioned against flouting migration laws.

"How can you move from one country to another without a visa, passport or any official document?” he asked.

"You have to follow the stipulated migration procedures of moving from one country to another whether to visit or to work,” he advised.

He urged local residents who were arrested without identification documents to always move with them to ease the work of security organs in the area.

By press time, the foreigners had all been taken to Nyamata police station while the local residents were still assembled at the playground.

Ends