Italian authorities have deported 50 Egyptian nationals back home from Italy, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.
The would-be immigrants were arrested last week for attempting to enter the country without legal travel documentation.
"Fifty illegal immigrants, including nine minors, were arrested off the southern coast of Italy on September 27," Assistant Egyptian Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Mohamed Abdel Hakam said.
He pointed out that European law dealt harshly with illegal immigration and warned against the possible consequences of undocumented immigration to Europe, which can include prison terms, fines and deportation. Abdel Hakam called on Egyptians to invest their money in projects launched by the Social Development Fund.
In mid-September, Italian authorities deported another 56 Egyptians, bringing the total number of undocumented Egyptian nationals to be deported from Italy within the last two weeks to 106.
