RIGA, Aug 11 (LETA) - The asylum seekers' center in Mucenieki outside Riga is currently providing accommodation to 384 persons, including 105 children, LETA was told at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. 

The center has room for around 400 persons, which means that it is already filled to capacity. 

The migrants admitted in recent days come from Iraq, Iran and Congo, according to the migration authority.

Representatives of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs also indicated that all Latvia's asylum experts are involved in dealing with the situation and assessing asylum requests. 

As reported, the government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency at the Latvian-Belarusian border, authorizing the State Border Guard to use physical force in order to return illegal immigrants to the country from which they came.

Taking into consideration the steeply increasing numbers of illegal immigrants trying to cross into Latvia from Belarus, as well as the large number of illegal immigrants entering Lithuania from Belarus, the state of emergency will run from August 11 until November 10 in the following municipalities: Ludza Region, Kraslava Region, Augsdaugava Region, and the City of Daugavpils.

According to the government's decision, the National Armed Forces and the State Police will also assist the Border Guard with the prevention of illegal immigration.

The Border Guard, the Armed Forces and the State Police will have the right to instruct illegal immigrants to return to the country from which they came, as well as use physical force if an illegal immigrant ignores their instructions.

The government has also authorized the Border Guard and the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office to use the Public Procurement Law's provisions to ensure accommodation, food and basic necessities for illegal immigrants who have arrived in Latvia from Belarus.

If necessary, the Cabinet of Ministers will request international assistance through the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism, NATO and other international organizations.

As reported, from August 6 until August 10, 283 persons have been detained for illegally crossing the border. The number of people detained for trespassing Latvian-Belarussian border so far this year has reached 343, LETA learned from the State Border Guard.