Amsterdam police arrest 210 illegal immigrants, Dutch prepare to deport them

AP ^ | September 24, 2002

[Shermy]

AMSTERDAM - Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of 210 illegal immigrants from the Balkans in the largest sweep since a center-right government took office in July, promising tighter immigration controls.

The arrests were made over the past few days in Amsterdam and the entire group will be put on a charter plane back to the Balkans on Wednesday, officials said.

Police spokeswoman Elly Florax said most of those arrested were Bulgarian, including many who had committed petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and shoplifting. One group had set up a scam this summer, posing as police agents in order to rob tourists, she said.

Early this month, police in The Hague ( news - web sites) arrested a group of 80 illegal immigrants from Bulgaria and also sent them home on a charter flight.

Immigration Ministry spokesman Martin Bruinsma said 6,000 immigrants have been deported so far this year, including 1,000 on specially-chartered fights.

"We hope that it gives a signal to others, that (illegal immigration) will not be tolerated," Bruinsma said.

Dutch immigrants' rights group have protested the mass deportations, saying illegal immigrants are mostly honest workers who overstayed their visas but are needed because of a labor shortage.

Over 500 policemen were involved in the operation over the past few days.

The new center-right government last week said it plans to reduce immigration by 25 percent in its first year. In addition it said it would make entry into the country without a visa a criminal offense and expel any foreigner_with or without a visa_who commits a crime while in the Netherlands.

The new policies reflect the views of slain politician Pim Fortuyn, who opposed immigration and mocked the previous Labor-led government for being out of touch with the Dutch society.

[Shermy]

Fortuyn ping.

[Rebelbase]

"Dutch prepare to deport them"

Deport must be a Dutch word. I don't recognize it as being used in this country.

[Tai_Chung]

Any idea how many illegal immigrants the United States government arrests and deports each year?

[LADY J]

"Any idea how many illegal immigrants the United States government arrests and deports each year?"

Hmmm Let me guess!!

But we are telling everyone else how to do it!!!

[Jumper]

Netherlands Bump! Folks here are fed up and tired of being ripped off by both politicians and immigrants who both drap the economy down with excessive costs.

[spodefly]

Deport must be a Dutch word. I don't recognize it as being used in this country.

Maybe we should become multi-lingual afterall ...

[Digger]

This is no problem here in America. Just ask GW. Just ask Calif gov Dufus & just ask challenger Simon. These guys are all on the side of these protesters. These are the guys that you put your votes with. These are the ones that will not CLOSE THE BORDERS.

[trebb]

Deport must be a Dutch word. I don't recognize it as being used in this country

I think the Dutch are sum o dem dat complain loudly if we talk about deportations...

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

In addition it said it would make entry into the country without a visa

Well that would include US citizens. Which would in turn necessitate the US to demand citizens of the Netherlands to get a visa to come here. Somehow I don't think this is what they meant.

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

This is only moderately good news. Bulgarians are still at least European and Christian. It is the Moslems from North Africa that need to go.

This looks to me like politically correct deportation. Round up a group that doesn't have powerful international advocates and doesn't have a tradition of terrorist activity.

[knighthawk]

Dutch ping. Nawijn (LPF minister of immigration and integration) is here to save the day!

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

See #10. Is this what they have in mind? I'm thinking not, as there really isn't that many places in the world that require a visa for US citizens any more.

[skeeter]

Good news. Hopefully the beginning of the next big global trend.

Lets hope it doesn't stop with a few Bulgarians.

[knighthawk]

No, it's people who illegaly entered and are living illegaly, and who are invloved in crime.

[knighthawk]

Nawijs still wants to make it possible to take away Dutch citizenship of criminal immigrants and deport them. He is serious.

[4Freedom]

Imagine a political party that actually does what it promised to do once they're in office.

I guess we know that Bush and the Republicans aren't Dutch.

[knighthawk]

Well, Nawijn does what was promised, but there are a lot of comprimizes. Mostly the CDA is too much to the center and holds back people like Nawijn.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Are you sure? I plan on entering the country without a visa next year. According to the sentence, I would be a criminal by so doing. I'm sure that's not what they had in mind, given the topic. I'll take your word that's what they mean.:)

[knighthawk]

If you want to be sure you can check the consulate, but you will not be illegal, since you are coming from a 'safe' country and only traveling.