Ethiopian Immigration Service denies allegations of arbitrary fees, deportation of Eritrean nationals
Published: 13/Dec/2024
Source: Addis Standard
Addis Abeba– The Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) has denied allegations that Eritrean nationals in Ethiopia are being subjected to arbitrary fees or deportation practices, describing the claims as “misleading and false.”
In a statement issued on 13 December, the ICS addressed reports suggesting that Eritrean nationals were being charged up to $4,000 for exit permits or targeted for deportation.
The service called these allegations “unsubstantiated” and emphasized that any measures taken against foreign nationals, including Eritreans, are “in accordance with Ethiopian law and not discriminatory.”
The ICS explained that Eritreans, like citizens of other neighboring countries, are permitted to enter Ethiopia visa-free and stay for up to 90 days with an entry stamp. However, it stated, “Challenges arise when individuals overstay their legal duration or engage in unauthorized activities.”
The service noted that some foreign nationals, including Eritreans, have violated immigration laws. “A considerable number of foreigners are engaged in unauthorized fields of work without work permits or residency permits,” the statement read.
The ICS also referred to other violations involving foreign nationals, such as “illegal mineral trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, contraband, and document forgery,” adding that these issues are not restricted to any specific nationality. The service reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing Ethiopia’s laws “without discrimination.”
The statement further alleged that some Eritrean nationals use family visits as a pretext for illegal activities. According to the ICS, these include “smuggling goods across borders through countries like Dubai, Eritrea, and Uganda.”