Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Pekanbaru immigration detention center currently accommodates a total of 1,177 immigrants from various countries.

The number increased because of 10 news births, Junior Manerep Galingging, head of the center, said here, Sunday.

The detention center is overcrowded because the number of immigrants has surpassed the center`s capacity, he added.

Several of them have to be accommodated in the so-called Community Houses such as in Siak Resort, Rina Hotel, Tasoya Hotel, Novrey House and Satria Hotel.

They came among other things from Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, Sudan, and Rohingnya.

Of the total number, some 700 are refugees and the rest are asylum seekers from conflict-ridden countries.

Galingging has frequently contacted the Organization for Migration (IOM) representatives to transfer the asylum seekers to third countries.

Australia has been a favorite destination of foreign immigrants, who are using Indonesia as a transit nation.

reported by Asripilyadi/Retmon
(T.SYS/C/F001/F001)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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