Stereotypes being perpetuated about immigrants are untrue, says UWC law expert

CAPE TOWN - A law expert from the University of Western Cape (UWC) has said the perceptions around undocumented migrants must be changed.

Kim-Leigh Loedolf added that the narrative portraying foreign nationals and migrants as a burden on society, particularly in terms of job competition and resource strain, was inaccurate.

She said there’s a general thinking that the country was being swamped by illegal immigrants.

Her comments come as about 360 foreign nationals living at two different tented sites in Cape Town are facing eviction.

Many have told EWN that they want to be relocated outside of South Africa.

Loedolf said the stereotypes being perpetuated about immigrants were untrue.

"We do have some undocumented migrants in South Africa. It is not a problem as we have been led to believe. Most of the time, migrants in general are just absolutely lovely people and hardworking people. Most of them are actually in the country because circumstances have led them and have forced them to be here," said Loedolf.

She explained the possible reasons that people leave their home countries.

"Law has to be fair, it has to be just, and many people become undocumented not just because they felt like coming to South Africa. You know, many are running away from war-torn countries etc. I mean we’ve all woken up to escalating issues in the Middle East and so forth. So, we are alive to all these things happening," said Loedolf.

Loedolf added that South African law was clear on who was deemed an illegal migrant.

"The law is very clear on deportation; the law is very clear for you to be regarded as an illegal foreigner, you are either in South Africa illegally, you are working in South Africa illegally or you have overstayed a visa that you have had. The law on that is very clear when it comes to determining who is undocumented and who is not. It is very clear."