Imigrasoins Ilegais iha Fronteiras terrestres iha Timor-Leste

The objective of this research is to contribute to a better understanding of illegal migration in Timor-Leste. This study focuses on illegal immigration that takes place along the land border between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Based on a qualitative research approach through in-depth interviews, focus group discussion with relevant stakeholders and documentary analysis, it was found that the main causes of illegal migration in Timor-Leste mainly driven by socio-cultural and economic factors. These push and pull factors as a result of economic opportunities, shared culture among communities along the borders, weak and ineffective public policies and legal instruments, human resources, infrastructure support such as communication equipment's and transportation. It is recommended that the Government of Timor-Leste should seriously consider illegal migration as national priority by providing all the necessary means in terms of policy and legal instruments, human resources and infrastructures facilities, and establish a centralized integrated body to oversee the movement of people and goods in all entry points along the land borders of Timor-Leste.