From October 5 to 16, Kazakhstan conducted the 'Nelegal' operational and preventive operation, during which police suppressed more than 15,800 violations of migration legislation, and courts issued 2,243 decisions to expel violators from the country, reports infohub.kz.
According to the media portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the raids aimed to prevent and suppress violations of migration legislation and to strengthen control over foreign citizens' compliance with stay rules. Police checked places where foreigners live in compact groups, construction sites, markets, enterprises, and organizations employing foreign workers.
"For violating stay rules in Kazakhstan, 7,595 foreigners were brought to administrative responsibility, and another 3,899 for illegal employment. Measures were taken against 815 employers for hiring foreign labor without proper permits. Also, 3,533 individuals and legal entities were held accountable for failing to timely notify internal affairs bodies about foreign citizens staying with them. Courts issued 2,243 decisions to expel violators of migration legislation from Kazakhstan. Another 2,479 foreigners whose further stay was deemed undesirable had their stay periods shortened," the ministry said.
In addition, 236 foreign citizens were forcibly expelled. All of them are banned from entering Kazakhstan for five years. During checks, 14 foreigners who illegally crossed the state border were also identified. Investigations into these facts are being conducted jointly with the border service. Furthermore, 62 foreign citizens who were wanted and hiding in Kazakhstan from law enforcement agencies of their countries were detained.
"An analysis of identified violations shows that one of the main reasons for illegal migration remains the desire of some individuals to gain quick profit bypassing legal requirements. In some cases, it is Kazakh citizens who facilitate the illegal entry of foreigners, organize their stay in the country, provide housing, and engage them in labor activities without the necessary permits," the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.
Special attention during the operation was given to suppressing the illegal use of foreign labor. Such violations were identified in Almaty, Shymkent, and the Karaganda, Almaty, Atyrau, Mangistau, East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, and North Kazakhstan regions. In all cases, measures provided by law were taken against foreign workers and employers. In addition, investigations were launched against 10 employers who violated the established procedure for attracting foreign labor two or more times within a year. They face criminal liability under the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for repeated violations.
Separate attention was paid to foreign citizens who systematically violate public order and show disrespect for established norms of behavior in the country. "In particular, this concerns individuals who have repeatedly committed offenses not related to migration legislation, including those who made obscene statements and other violations of public order. Against such citizens, police sent 31 petitions to courts for expulsion from Kazakhstan. Relevant measures were initiated in Shymkent, Almaty, and the Abai, Aktobe, Almaty, Mangistau, Kostanay, and Turkestan regions," the ministry added.
If courts decide on expulsion, these foreigners will be banned from entering Kazakhstan for five years.