Mauritania Deports Over 10,000 Immigrants in 8 Months

Mauritania’s Minister of the Interior, Decentralization and Local Development, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El Amin, has announced that the country has deported 10,753 immigrants in the last eight months, marking a 14% increase from the previous year.

This significant rise in deportations comes as the government aims to address the growing issue of immigration. The minister’s statement was made during a debate on a draft law amending the immigration system, which includes criminal provisions to regulate the flow of immigrants.

Regulating Immigrant Status

In an effort to regulate the legal status of immigrants, the government has conducted a census of immigrants settled in the country. This initiative has exempted immigrants from paying residence fees, resulting in the registration of over 130,000 immigrants in the capital city of Nouakchott alone.

The large number of registered immigrants highlights the alarming expansion of this phenomenon and the need for urgent action to address its security, social, and economic repercussions.

Confronting the Challenges of Immigration

The draft law, which includes criminal provisions related to the immigration system, aims to fill the gap in the legal arsenal relating to the fight against illegal immigration. The government recognizes the need for urgency in addressing this issue and reducing its pressure on local resources.