The state police has started the work for the identification and verification of all foreign citizens in the country.
The General Director of the State Police, Ardi Veliu has sent an official letter to the police leaders in the regions to check whether or not foreigners in Albania have a residence permit.
Veliu also demanded that measures be taken for those foreigners caught in violation, without a regular residence permit.
In these cases, a fine may be imposed until the deportation of the citizen in the decision of origin or the initiation of proceedings for illegal border crossing. Veliu’s initiative comes at a time when Albania has become a transit point for illegal immigrants who come from the Middle East and planto cross into EU countries.
Every day, the Albanian police arrest immigrants who have entered illegally from the southern border crossings and travel to Tirana and then to the north, to leave Albania through the northern border crossings.
The presence of illegal immigrants is being exploited by Albanian citizens, who in exchange for payments, promise immigrants assistance in transport and crossing the border.
There are currently over 13,500 regular migrants in Albania. It is not known how many irregular migrants are here.
