While most of us get across the Causeway by car, bus or train, some just don’t have a choice.
According to a Facebook post shared by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Tuesday, Mar. 14, a man was apprehended walking along the Causeway train tracks toward Singapore.
The man, identified as a Bangladeshi, was spotted making the trek on Mar. 9 before being intercepted by ICA officers from Woodlands Checkpoint “before he could pose a safety hazard to on-going operations”.
From the photos published, he looked dishevelled and did not have much items with him. He was also traveling alone.
When they found him, he had no original identity documents or travel documents in his possession. The ICA eventually apprehended him for suspected immigration offences.
“As Guardians of Our Borders, ICA is committed to facilitating trade & safe travels while keeping Singapore’s borders safe & secure,” the post read.
The ICA has a stern stance on attempts to enter or depart Singapore illegally. The penalty for illegal entry under the Immigration Act 1959 is a fine of up to S$1,000 and up to six months in jail.
The comments from Singaporeans on the post were actually compassionate and empathetic toward the man’s plight.
However, there was someone who felt that the announcement was an opportunity for ICA to gloat.
According to official statistics from ICA, the number of immigration offenders increased from 355 in 2021 to 414 in 2022.
Of the 414 offenders, 57 were illegal immigrants while the rest of the 357 were people who had been caught overstaying.
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