In order to detect and identify an illegal migrant, the relevant bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will have the right to enter and inspect a residence, workplace or other private property.

Amendments to the Law “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons” have been submitted to the Parliament, which were initiated by the deputies of the Georgian Dream for accelerated consideration.

According to the draft submitted to the Parliament, in order to detect a foreigner who is in Georgia without a legal ground, verify the place of residence of a foreigner or search for a foreigner’s travel document, an authorized body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be authorized to inspect the residence, workplace of a foreigner or enter other private property based on a judge’s order. However, if there is the consent of the co-owner of the private property or the employer of the workplace, then the said inspection will be possible without a judge’s order.

According to the same draft, in the event that an urgent need exists and delay may result in the alien’s absconding, destruction or concealment of the alien’s travel document, the relevant body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be authorized to initiate an inspection of the residence, workplace or other private property/ownership and to apply to the judge with the relevant petition within 24 hours.

According to the draft, when submitting the petition, the authorized body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs must substantiate the urgent need for the inspection.

In addition, during the inspection of the residence or workplace of an alien, the police will be authorized to conduct questioning, identification, and search of the person, as well as, in cases provided for by law, other preventive and coercive measures.

When inspecting a foreigner's workplace, a police officer will be able to request from the employer documents that prove the foreigner's legal grounds for working in Georgia.

The bill has been initiated in Parliament. It will be discussed in an expedited manner at special sessions this week.