MAKKAH, 28 May 2007 — Col. Aid ibn Tagalib Al-Luqmani, head of the Passport Department in Makkah, said there was no let up in the drive against overstayers. In an interview with Arab News, he said: “Citizens and expatriates who employ or help overstayers are also being severely punished.”
According to Al-Luqmani, a new fingerprint system that has recently been implemented by the Passport Department is of great value since it helps apprehend individuals who have returned to the Kingdom after deportation. “They cannot come back because the system will detect them,” he said, adding that they will be punished and sent back to their countries. Al-Luqmani added that the Passport Department has so far fined 300 individuals who have been caught helping overstayers. Following is the text of the interview:
Q: In the coming days, a huge number of pilgrims will begin visiting the Kingdom. What sort of procedures have you established to welcome them and solve potential problems?
A: The Passport Department will contribute a lot during the coming season. We hope that the companies that arrange for Umrah programs will return pilgrims on time with no delay. In case of any delay they will be punished. Also citizens and expatriates who have helped overstayers will be punished. Help can be in the form of finding accommodation for them, employing them, or transporting them from one place to another.
Q: Does the Passport Department have the right to extend Umrah visas?
A: The companies, which the pilgrims are registered with, can extend visas by consulting the Haj and Umrah department.
Q: Do the campaigns targeting overstayers begin in the Umrah season?
A: Campaigns continue throughout the year. However, during this season we increase them to arrest overstayers; we also receive help from other committees in Makkah.
Q: What is your plan to improve other departments that fall under the Passport Department, such as the Expatriate Department, which suffers from a shortage of offices?
A: We have ongoing plans and we work to provide the best services possible. We are working to develop some sections by acquiring more equipment and furniture. The areas in which overstayers that are caught are housed can now accept more than 500 individuals at a time. However, no one is kept for over 24 hours. Overstayers are transferred immediately to Jeddah.
Q: How do you deal with sponsors who do not come to the department and refuse to cooperate when their workers are arrested?
A: I am sorry to say that some sponsors do not cooperate with us. There are some procedures that we apply in these cases. We try our best to finish the procedures related to the traveling of workers as quickly as possible.
Q: What is the benefit of implementing the fingerprint system?
A: The fingerprint system in Makkah was inaugurated in the beginning of this Hijri year. We have specified and equipped a particular room for the implementation of the system and are waiting for equipment to be available within two weeks. When everything is ready, overstayers will be easily detected and will not come back but will be punished instead. The system also helps in detecting all who were involved in various crimes including forging. Workers and maids who flee from their sponsors will also be detected, arrested and sent back to their counties. Nonetheless, no one can claim losing his iqama or change his name; in fact, the fingerprint system is a major move forward.
Q: How many individuals, who have assisted overstayers, have you arrested during the last Haj season?
A: We have fined 300 individuals, who have helped overstayers. Recent investigations have revealed that there were 60 houses, which had overstayers living in them. We urge people not to cooperate with overstayers and avoid fines and punishment.
Q: What plans do you have to develop the Passport Department in Makkah?
A: We have a lot indeed. Some are in relation to the administration and validation of equipment. We work for what would benefit citizens and expatriates alike. We are starting to issue new IDs for expatriates.
