JOHANNESBURG - The Centre for Migration and Society said President Cyril Ramaphosa's plan lacks detail.
Addressing the country on Sunday, Ramaphosa said government had taken decisive steps to tackle illegal immigration.
He outlined a five-point plan that would guide the government and the relevant departments to root out violations of the law by those coming into the country illegally. These include South Africans who are deliberately violating immigration and employment laws.
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The President said while South Africans have the right to protest and expect better, they too are not allowed to violate the law.
"The responsibility of enforcing immigration laws rests with the state and the state alone," he said.
Ramaphosa said Cabinet adopted a comprehensive approach to migration management last week.
He said government's objective is to ensure that everyone who enters South Africa's borders does so legally.
The plan has been met with mixed reactions. Jo Veary from Wits' African Centre for Migration and Society said a clear directive as to how these would be achieved is lacking.
"It is important to call out citizens to uphold the rule of law," she said.
"But the emphasis on that, I feel, was lacking," she added.
Ramaphosa said there would be a crackdown on the violation of South Africa's immigration, labour and other laws. The government will continue to prevent people from entering the country irregularly and illegally.
He also said that they will stamp out corruption in the immigration system. The country's immigration laws and policies will be strengthened.
Ramaphosa also said they will engage with various African countries. This is to forge a broader response to immigration challenges across the region and the continent.
Veary said while this was good, there should have been an acknowledgment of challenges faced at the local level.
In addition, the role of local government structures can to engage citizens.