(Juba) – South Sudan’s Department of Immigration has expressed concern over the increasing number of foreign nationals illegally residing in the country, warning that the situation could pose a threat to national security if not addressed promptly.
The concerns were raised after a high level meeting of immigration officials held in Juba. The Director General of the Directorate of Nationality, Civil Registry, Passport and Immigration, Major General Elia Kosta Faustino, said there is growing evidence that some foreign nationals are abusing their refugee status and overstaying their visas.
According to Maj. Gen. Kosta, some individuals have been found using refugee cards to operate businesses, an act that goes against the conditions of their stay. He stressed that such practices violate immigration laws and also distort the local economy and undermine the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
“These individuals are not complying with the terms under which they were allowed into the country,” Maj. Gen. Kosta said. “When someone enters as a refugee, they are not supposed to engage in commercial activities without proper clearance and documentation.”
He further explained that the overstaying of visas by foreign nationals, along with the misuse of refugee identity documents, is becoming a widespread issue, especially in major towns like Juba and border areas.
As a result, the immigration department is planning to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to identify and remove those residing in the country unlawfully.
The Directorate is also encouraging legal foreign residents to ensure their documents are valid and up to date to avoid penalties or deportation.
A new inspection campaign is expected to be rolled out across the country, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants and reviewing documentation among foreign business operators.
South Sudan’s immigration authorities have in the past struggled with limited resources and staffing in monitoring entry and exit points.
However, officials now say that tighter coordination with law enforcement agencies and border units will improve monitoring and help address illegal immigration more effectively.
The government has not released official figures on the number of undocumented foreign nationals in the country.
Maj. Gen. Kosta urged all foreign nationals in South Sudan to comply with the law and cooperate with immigration officers during the upcoming enforcement campaigns.
