45 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying

SINGAPORE - A total of 45 foreign nationals were arrested over the past three days for overstaying in Singapore, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a media release on Friday.

The majority of those arrested were from Bangladesh, China and Nepal. There were 28 men and 17 women aged between 20 and 50 years old.

ICA officers also arrested a 31-year-old Bangladeshi national who sublet his room to other immigration offenders.

Investigations are ongoing.

Under the Immigration Act, the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are jail of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, jail of up to six months, or both.

If homeowners are found guilty of negligently harbouring overstayers and/or illegal immigrants, they may be punished with a fine not exceeding $6,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.

miranday@sph.com.sg