**Georgia Expels 21 Foreigners Amid Tightened Immigration Controls**
In a move aimed at strengthening immigration controls, the Georgian government has expelled 21 foreign nationals from the country. According to the Interior Ministry, those affected include citizens of Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Iran, Turkmenistan, Colombia, China, India, Jordan, and Nigeria.
These individuals are now banned from re-entering Georgia, with no indication of when or if they will be allowed back into the country. This development comes on the heels of another mass expulsion earlier this month, where 31 foreign nationals were also forced to leave.
**Tightening Immigration Controls**
The Georgian government’s efforts to tighten immigration controls are part of a broader legislative package aimed at giving authorities more power to expel individuals convicted of administrative offenses. The proposed law would allow for the permanent banishment of those found guilty of such offenses, raising concerns among critics that the measures may be used to target opposition activists.
**Raising Concerns**
The Deputy Interior Minister’s comments on foreign participants in ongoing anti-regime protests have sparked fears that the new laws will be used selectively against protesters. This has led to accusations that the government is attempting to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power.
**Context Matters**
In recent months, Georgia has witnessed a surge in protests against the government, with demonstrators calling for greater freedoms and an end to what they see as authoritarian rule. The government’s response to these protests has been marked by allegations of heavy-handed policing and harassment of activists.
**What’s Next?**
The proposed legislative package is set to be debated further in parliament, with many watching closely to see how the government responds to growing pressure from critics at home and abroad. One thing is certain: Georgia’s immigration controls will remain a topic of hot debate as tensions between the government and opposition continue to rise.
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