Illegal immigrants from Africa and Latin America increase in Latvia

Aug 14, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

RIGA- In the first seven months of 2008 the number of illegal immigrants from Africa, Asia and Latin America has grown in Latvia, said State Border Guard head Gunars Dabolins.

Even though the majority of illegal immigrants in Latviaare citizens of Russia,Ukraine and Moldova, the immigration service has to deal with immigrants from exotic countries more and more often.

This year there had been illegal immigrants from Nigeria,Senegal, Morocco,Ghana, Columbiaand Peru in Latin America, China,Sri Lanka, Iraq,Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Border Guard officials have had to learn about culture and traditions of other countries. "We have be aware of how we speak, observe traditions," said Dabolins, adding that officials should not insult immigrants due to ignorance of their culture.

Most often fake European Union (EU) passports are being used to travel to Latvia-- Lithuanian, Latvian, Polandand Bulgaria, as well as fake passports of countries with a visa free regime with Latvia-- special Turkish passports, passports of Koreaand Malaysia.

Fake French, Spanish, Benelux Schengen visas have also been found, as well as illegal use of sailor's status. Many arrive in cargo ships from North Africa.

Border Guard experts had been sure about Schengen visas from the security point of view, but it turns out that "technologies are developing in the hands of producers of fake visas as well", said Dabolins.

The detained illegal immigrants are sent to a special center in Olaine until their further fate is decided, which is most often sending back to their native country.