When Bali Immigration Crackdown Drives Detention Population and Food Costs Higher

BALI – The intensified Dharma Dewata immigration operations conducted across Bali throughout 2026 have contributed to a significant increase in the number of foreign nationals detained at the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center (Rudenim Denpasar). The rise in detainees has also pushed up food expenditure, with consumption costs increasing by 55.17 percent compared with the same period last year.

As of September 16, 2026, Rudenim Denpasar was housing 46 detainees, against a maximum capacity of 80 people, putting occupancy at 58 percent. During the same period in 2025, the number of detainees stood at around 29.

The increase has coincided with the high number of immigration detentions and deportations carried out by immigration offices across Bali and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Throughout 2026, Rudenim Denpasar recorded 167 detentions, with the highest monthly figure occurring in April, when 28 people were detained.

The facility also recorded 132 deportations, with April again registering the highest monthly figure at 29 deportations. In addition, seven detainees were transferred to other immigration detention facilities.

Each detainee's food allocation is currently set at Rp39,000 per person per day for three meals. The expenditure is based on the 2026 Government Standard Input Costs stipulated under Minister of Finance Regulation No. 32 of 2025.

The longest-serving detainee currently staying at Rudenim Denpasar has been housed at the facility since January 2026.

Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Ramdhani, said the increase in the number of detainees reflects the implementation of immigration law enforcement in the field.

“Indeed, the trend this year has increased compared with previous years. This shows that our law enforcement activities are being carried out,” Ramdhani said on Saturday (Sept. 18).

He also said the management and operational conditions at Rudenim Denpasar remain orderly and under control. “So far, the condition of the detainees at the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center has been running well. We can still organize their handling so that they can be deported as soon as possible, and there has been no mismanagement,” he said.

Regarding concerns over rising food costs caused by detainees staying longer before deportation, Ramdhani said the available budget remains sufficient through the end of the year.

“As for food costs, we can still cover them at the moment. We have discussed the provision of meals for detainees, and God willing, we can still cover those needs through the end of the year,” he said.

Immigration authorities said deportation is not always carried out immediately after a foreign national is detained. Several technical and legal factors can delay the process.

The first is financial difficulties, particularly when detainees are unable to purchase tickets for their return journey. The second involves administrative and travel-document issues, including delays in verifying nationality or obtaining travel documents from the detainee's embassy or consulate.

The third factor is health-related, particularly when detainees have intensive medical histories, mental health conditions, or are elderly and require medical treatment before being declared fit to fly.

The fourth is legal proceedings, when detainees are still required by law enforcement authorities in connection with an investigation or court proceeding.

Under Article 85 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, detainees may remain in immigration detention until they can be deported. If repatriation cannot be completed, detention can extend for up to 10 years under the applicable provisions.

According to the Directorate General of Immigration Guidelines No. IMI-0170.GR.03.01 of 2023, detainees who have been held for 10 years may be released from an immigration detention center and granted permission to reside outside the facility under strict conditions. These conditions include good conduct, having an Indonesian citizen as a guarantor, having sufficient financial resources, not engaging in employment, reporting to immigration authorities every month, and not being involved in serious crimes such as narcotics offenses, terrorism, or murder.

The increase in detainee numbers at Rudenim Denpasar therefore reflects not only the intensified enforcement operations but also the various administrative, financial, health and legal factors that can affect the deportation process.