Illegal immigrants deported from Moscow

A record number of Illegal immigrants were deported from Moscow last Saturday. As many as 160 people were sent by air to Tajikistan. Today, a plane will take a group of 48, including 30 from India.

Official spokesman for the Moscow Main Interior Department Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Gildeyev told RIA Novosti that the militia is actively searching for illegal immigrants conducting special checks of markets, hostels and construction sites. Illegal immigrants caught by the militia are presented before the jury.

"The court decides who is to be deported," said the militia lieutenant colonel. This procedure takes about a month. During this time, the illegal immigrants are placed into a deportation center where they are identified and pass a medical examination."

There are four centers in Moscow and three more are to be opened soon.

The Moscow Main Interior Department supports toughening - applying criminal responsibility - laws pertaining to employers who use illegal immigrant labor. According to the official spokesman for the Main Interior Department the appropriate proposal has been already sent to the legislative bodies.

"It is advantageous for employers to use illegal immigrants for labor because they agree to a lower payment," said Yevgeny Gildeyev. "However, the fines for the using illegal labor are ridiculous."