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SINGAPORE \u2013 Fourteen people were arrested for alleged immigration and harbouring offences after an enforcement operation in Hougang on March 3. <\/p>\n
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on March 4 that 13 Indian nationals \u2013 11 men and two women, aged between 19 and 44 \u2013 had overstayed in Singapore after the expiry of their visit passes. <\/p>\n
Another 26-year-old Indian national, who provided lodging for the immigration offenders, was also arrested.<\/p>\n
ICA investigations are ongoing.<\/p>\n
Under Singapore\u2019s laws, overstayers can be jailed for up to six months, subjected to at least three strokes of the cane, or fined up to $6,000.<\/p>\n
Arrested immigration offenders are also deported and barred from re-entering Singapore after sentencing, or payment of fines.<\/p>\n
Any person caught recklessly or knowingly harbouring immigration offenders may be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $6,000.<\/p>\n
Those caught negligently harbouring overstayers may be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to $6,000, or both.<\/p>\n
ICA said those intending to rent out their premises must check the immigration status of their prospective foreign tenants to ensure that their stay in Singapore is legal.<\/p>\n
This includes checking the tenant\u2019s original immigration or work pass, verifying its validity with the issuing authority, and cross-checking the listed particulars against that of the tenant\u2019s original passport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n