Home Affairs cracks down on illegal immigrants with new technology

The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new nationwide campaign, Operation New Broom, to remove illegal immigrants from public spaces using advanced biometric technology.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber led the first raid of the initiative in District 6, where authorities arrested 25 people for occupying land designated for restitution.

Biometric technology is at the forefront

The government is continuously rolling out Operation New Broom across urban centres in South Africa. The initiative uses biometric verification to confirm the immigration status of suspects, significantly reducing the use of fraudulent documents and strengthening legal proceedings. According to the Department, this technology-driven approach upholds due process.

“As with everything else we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law,” said Schreiber.

“This commitment motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance in the process.”

A Warning to Illegal Immigrants

Moreover, the operation’s debut in District 6 holds symbolic weight. The 25 individuals detained reportedly lived on land designated for restitution to families displaced decades ago.

Additionally, Minister Schreiber issued a stern warning to those staying in South Africa without documentation: “Our message to anyone who is in the country illegally is clear: voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from entering or obtaining legal status in South Africa in future.”

Digital Transformation Across Borders

In addition, Operation New Broom forms part of the broader digital transformation within the Department of Home Affairs. Schreiber also pointed to recent successes by the Border Management Authority as proof that technology integration is improving national immigration controls both at border posts and inland.