Lebanese Living in UAE Fear Deportation
Due to alleged security concerns, the United Arab Emirates has adopted a policy of deporting many of the nation’s Lebanese expatriates, causing both economic and emotional hardship, writes Nasser Chararah.
Every week from Friday morning until Sunday morning, Lebanese families living in the United Arab Emirates for their jobs experience “a period of tranquility.” This time is the official weekly holiday there, but the main reason for their calm is that Emirati state security observes this holiday. On these days, no calls will be made informing Lebanese families that they are to be deported from the UAE for alleged security reasons.
Lebanese there consider these days off to be more than “a relaxing holiday” — it is a “break from the daily angst” which hovers over them during the work week. This anxiety stems from their shared fear: at any moment, they may be contacted by the police department and told that they are being expelled.
