DEPORTATION - Definition and Scope

DEPORTATION is defined as  the  forcible  repatriation  of an  undesirable alien.
In  the experience of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Deportation Is carried out by  two   entities,  mainly  the  Saudi General Directorate for Passports,  popularly known as the “Jawasat”, and the authorities of Briman Prison.

Immigration  Law   offenders   are   detained,   investigated,  processed  and  are  eventually  deported by the  Passports  Office   from  two   facilities,   segregated    according    to    male    and    female    detainees.    Expatriates who were convicted of criminal offenses and who have served their sentences are processed and deported from the deportation facility inside Briman Prison.

Persons liable to be deported include, among others:

1. 1. Persons convicted of a crime, after service of sentence or after pardon.
2. 2. Umrah and Hajj pilgrims with expired visas.
3. 3. Expatriates with expired visitor’s visas.
4. 4. Absconding workers.
5. 5. Persons who harboured absconding workers.
6. 6. Visitors whose Mahram have already left the Kingdom.
7. 7. Persons engaged in visa-buying.
8. 8. Persons whom the Kingdom considers a threat to its national security.
9. 9. Persons who violated Immigration or other laws.
10. 10. Any other person that the Kingdom deems must be ejected from the Kingdom.

DEPORTATION PROCESS

1. Investigation– Deportees are first investigated to ascertain their identities, the status of their stay in the Kingdom, criminal/civil case records as well as other pertinent details.
2. Processing/Sentencing–Deportees who have been investigated and have been cleared are processed for deportation. Those who have violations would have their cases heard by a Committee and be sentenced accordingly.
3. Deportation— Deportees who have been cleared or who have finished their sentences are deported to the Philippines.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What rules govern deportation?

It is the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the regulations of the Passport Office (Jawassat) that governs the deportation of a Filipino from the Kingdom.

How long does the deportation process last?

Depending on the availability of proper documentation as well as the vagaries of the investigation, the process could last as short as one week or as long as several months.

When we are already detained in the deportation center, how could we speed up our investigation?
Cooperating with the authorities by revealing your true identity, the name of your employer as well as other pertinent details would speed up the investigation. An original or copy of your passport and Iqama would also help in the investigation.

What are Documents of Identity?

Documents of Identity (DoI) are issued by the Consulate to Filipinos inside the deportation center to facilitate their deportation, especially when they do not have their passports.

Could we send money and other things to somebody inside the deportation center?

Rules inside the deportation centers prohibit anybody to bring to the detainees anything, be it food, money, clothes, beddings, etc. Persons deported are advised to bring money, warm clothes as well as medicines for cough, fever, flu and specific medications for their particular ailments.

What are other reminders on deportation?

There is only one rule that governs deportation, and that is the law and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Consulate is mandated to follow the said rules. There is no “backdoor exit”, every deportee shall go through the legal processes as prescribed by the Jawassat. Beware of fixers or any other entity which promises an easy exit for a fee. For any inquiries, contact the Consulate directly.