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February 8, 2025 | 10:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Indonesian citizens in the United States to comply with U.S. immigration laws following stricter enforcement under President Donald Trump. Judha Nugraha, Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the ministry, confirmed that two Indonesians were recently detained in the U.S. for immigration violations. He also noted the large number of undocumented Indonesians in the U.S.
"There are approximately 66,000 documented Indonesians in America. We don't know the number of undocumented ones, but it is quite high," Judha said at a press conference in the ministry's office in Central Jakarta on Friday, February 7, 2025.
Judha explained that Indonesian citizens with illegal immigrant status are not only present in the U.S. He claimed that the government will not intervene in cases of illegal status, but it will provide protection such as legal assistance.
"Nevertheless, the most important protection is self-protection by abiding by the laws in the destination country, including immigration laws," he emphasized.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of respecting immigration laws and warned that undocumented immigrants are vulnerable to exploitation.
"When being vulnerable to exploitation, they are prone to other problems, and even in the event of death, it is difficult to handle the paperwork," he said.
Judha also stated that the ministry is coordinating with various parties to assist Indonesians detained in the U.S. due to immigration issues. He urged Indonesians in the U.S. to stay calm and follow the rules.
"We hope that Indonesian society in the U.S., whether documented or undocumented, remains calm. However, of course, we also continue to urge all our people to abide by the U.S. laws," he said.
Since the policy change, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and six Indonesian representatives in the U.S. have taken anticipatory measures. "We have virtual coordination," he added.
These six representatives include the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Consulate General in San Francisco, the Consulate General in Los Angeles, the Consulate General in Houston, the Consulate General in Chicago, and the Consulate General in New York.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, responded to President Donald Trump’s intention to deport undocumented immigrants.
Yusril said he would prepare for this policy and protect Indonesians in the U.S. who might face deportation.
"If such a thing happens, we must also be ready to anticipate it," Yusril told reporters on Friday, January 24, 2025, at his ministry in South Jakarta.
Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi also contributed to the writing of this article.
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