Mauritanians are divided in assessing the rise in the phenomenon of irregular migration to their country. Many Mauritanians see it as a threat to their demographic diversity and their security, economic and social stability.
The number of immigrants currently reside legally has reached 140,000 people, according to the national campaign to register, control and regulate the movement of immigrants within the country. This is in addition to about 150,000 refugees in various locations across the country, most of them in the Ambra camp in the state of Hodh al-Sharqi.