Perhaps the security people knew that making a big deal over a 30 day overstay is a complete waste of time. The Syrians would not have been held and deported, but rather released and told to report for deporatation, or for a deporatation hearing, at a later time. Most do not show.
Imagine what would happen if Americans tried to pull this in Syria! Not that I want us to emulate Syria; 60 days of healthful hard labor prior to deportations would have been fine.
Yes, it's all just a waste of time.