<![CDATA[This research aims to examine the process and mechanism of law enforcement against the criminal offense of residence permit misuse by foreign nationals, as well as the factors influencing its effectiveness, at the Class II Non-TPI Immigration Office of Baubau City. This study employs an empirical legal research method, combining a statute approach to Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration with a sociological approach, using primary data from a structured interview with an Immigration Analyst and secondary data from relevant literature, analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The findings show that law enforcement runs through an orderly and consistent procedure, beginning with report verification and culminating in the imposition of Immigration Administrative Actions, as evidenced in three major cases during 2023–2025 involving nationals from India, Spain, and Vietnam, all resolved administratively without any proceeding to criminal investigation. This consistency is driven by the alignment of five factors of legal effectiveness according to Soekanto, namely regulatory clarity, adequate apparatus capacity, available reporting facilities, active community participation, and an established local legal culture. However, the criminal pathway under Article 122 letter a has never been applied, indicating that the deterrent effect of immigration law enforcement in Baubau has not yet been fully achieved, with direct implications for the strengthening of institutions under the SDGs.]]>
