Challenges in the Handling of Indonesian Migrant Workers by the Nunukan District Police in the Border Area of Nunukan Regency

Citra Handayani Situmorang

Authors

Citra Handayani Situmorang Program Studi Ilmu Hukum Fakultas Hukum Universitas Bhayangkara Surabaya

Keywords:

Diplomacy, Nunukan Resort Police, Indonesian Migrant Workers, Border Area, Law Enforcement

Abstract

Nunukan Regency, located on the Indonesia–Malaysia border, is a strategic transit area for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) but is highly vulnerable to undocumented migration, human trafficking, people smuggling, and violations of migrant workers’ rights. This study examines the diplomatic role of the Nunukan Resort Police (Polres Nunukan) in handling migrant workers and identifies the challenges encountered in border governance. The research employs an empirical legal approach using statutory and sociological methods. Primary data were collected through interviews with officers from Polres Nunukan and the Center for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP3MI), while secondary data were obtained from legislation, books, scientific journals, and relevant documents. The findings reveal that Polres Nunukan adopts a collaborative diplomatic approach by strengthening coordination and communication with BP3MI, the Immigration Office, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), local government, and other stakeholders to enhance prevention, supervision, law enforcement, and legal protection for migrant workers. Major challenges include extensive border areas, numerous unofficial crossing routes, limited personnel and infrastructure, high migrant mobility, and inadequate public awareness of legal migration procedures. To address these issues, Polres Nunukan intensifies inter-agency cooperation, strengthens border patrols and surveillance, expands public education on safe migration, and takes firm legal action against human trafficking and illegal recruitment networks. The study concludes that effective protection of Indonesian migrant workers in border regions requires not only strong law enforcement but also sustained institutional collaboration to ensure comprehensive legal protection and improve border governance.

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