Zambia deports 217 illegal immigrants in nationwide crackdown

Zambia’s Department of Immigration has deported 217 illegal immigrants, including 140 Burundians, 37 Rwandese, 37 Tanzanians, one Kenyan, one Sudanese, and one Ugandan, following a nationwide operation.

Immigration authorities carried out the mass deportation on April 2, 2025, in Lusaka, according to a statement issued on Thursday by Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka.

Nshinka revealed that many of the deported individuals were detained during a March 26, 2025, clean-up operation, which saw 104 people arrested across Lusaka for violating immigration laws.

“The Department prioritized swift removals without court appearances to ease the burden on correctional facilities,” Nshinka explained.

With this latest operation, the total number of illegal immigrants deported from Zambia between April 1 and April 2, 2025, now stands at 256.

In a separate operation at Kasumbalesa Border Control, immigration officers apprehended 19 individuals suspected of illegal entry into Zambia.

“This sting operation, conducted in the early hours of April 2, 2025, targeted individuals entering Zambia illegally to purchase goods from Kasumbalesa Market,” Nshinka said.

The arrested individuals included 17 Congolese nationals and two Tanzanians, all of whom failed to provide valid documentation. They are currently in detention pending prosecution.

These latest arrests bring the total number of immigration-related apprehensions across Zambia between April 1 and April 2 to 79.

Additionally, the Department of Immigration secured 35 convictions within the same period and refused entry to three individuals who failed to meet immigration requirements.

“The Department of Immigration remains committed to enforcing Zambia’s immigration laws and maintaining the integrity of the country’s borders,” Nshinka assured.

He added that enforcement efforts would continue as part of broader measures to enhance national security and border management.

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