THE ROLE OF IMMIGRATION IN GUARDING SEA BORDERS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Abstract

The sea border is a strategic area that is vulnerable to various forms of immigration violations, especially the crime of human smuggling. In this context, Immigration has a central role as the front line in maintaining state sovereignty, especially in terms of monitoring the traffic of foreigners entering and exiting Indonesian territory by sea. This study aims to examine in depth the role of Immigration in maintaining the sea border, especially through a study of Decision Number 278/PID. SUS/2019/PT PBR and Decision Number 2867 K/PID. SUS/2018. Through a normative-juridical approach, this study highlights the importance of the application of Article 120 paragraph (1) of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code in strictly ensnaring perpetrators of human smuggling. The results of the study show that weak surveillance in the waters is the main gap for transnational crime perpetrators to carry out their actions. Therefore, improving monitoring technology, strengthening immigration posts, and synergy between Immigration and other law enforcement officials are the main keys in efforts to counter human smuggling. This study concludes that the active and collaborative role of Immigration agencies is indispensable in maintaining the security of Indonesia's maritime borders, in order to support national integrity and human rights protection.