Immigration Oversight in Bali Strengthens Public Order, 342 Foreigners Deported

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Immigration authorities in Bali say routine monitoring of foreign nationals has reinforced public order and security, with 342 deportations carried out between January and June 2026 for immigration violations.

Head of Bali’s Immigration Regional Office, Felucia Sengky Ratna, explained that enforcement involved all immigration units, including Ngurah Rai, Denpasar, Singaraja, Tabanan, Klungkung, and the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center.

“Field operations and monitoring at vulnerable points ensure foreigners comply with immigration rules while safeguarding Bali’s community order,” she said at a press briefing in Jakarta on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

The most common violations were misuse of residence permits and overstays, alongside cases involving public order, breaches of local customs, and participation in illegal economic activities. Deportation and entry bans were imposed as sanctions.

Felucia noted that effective oversight was supported by inter‑agency collaboration through the Foreigners Supervision Team (Timpora).

This coordination helped uncover major cases in 2026, including a clandestine narcotics laboratory involving two Russian nationals in March, and the arrest of a British Interpol fugitive at Ngurah Rai Airport the same month.

In June, Bali immigration also blocked the departure of an Australian Interpol fugitive wanted for crimes in his home country, working with the Indonesian National Police and the Australian Federal Police.

She urged residents to use official complaint channels at local immigration offices to report suspicious foreign activities. “Do not hesitate to report if you encounter foreigners whose actions may violate the law,” Felucia said.

The deportations highlight how immigration enforcement in Bali is not only about legal compliance but also about protecting social harmony, cultural integrity, and security in one of Indonesia’s most prominent tourism destinations. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)