Latvia, Law and Regulations, Legislation, Society, Transport

Furthermore, the illegal transportation of Vietnamese citizens across Latvian borders is organized, while there is no proof that the movement of Iraqi and Afghan citizens is organized, and it is believed that they travel themselves.

There is also another main difference – Vietnamese citizens usually never carry any form of identification when they are detained, while Iraqi and Afghan citizens almost always have identification on them. He added that Vietnamese use Latvia only as a transit country, while Iraqis and Afghans who arrive here immediately request asylum.

Garbars admitted that the State Border Guard is still capable of dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants. He also thanked residents of border regions, who immediately inform the State Birder Guard when they see suspicious activities. ''I signed 11 letter of gratitude alone last month,'' Garbars said.

He said that the situation on the border will only change when the necessary legislation is approved and amendments are made to the Criminal Law so harsher penalties for people smuggling are introduced.