The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) repatriated 56 illegal immigrants and overstayers this week, following a series of operations conducted from June 18 to June 20. The group included an equal number of men and women, among whom were discharged prisoners and former foreign domestic helpers.
The repatriated individuals had their non-refoulement claims deemed unsubstantiated, leading to their swift return to their countries of origin. This action is part of the ImmD’s ongoing commitment to protect public interest and enforce immigration laws rigorously.
Since the introduction of an updated removal policy on December 7, 2022, the ImmD has gained the authority to expedite the repatriation process for claimants whose judicial review cases were dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court. This policy shift has significantly enhanced the efficiency of processing and removing unsubstantiated claims.
The Immigration Department underscored its dedication to accelerating removals by collaborating closely with the governments of major source countries, airlines, and other relevant entities. “We will continue to employ all appropriate measures to ensure the prompt repatriation of individuals without valid claims,” a department spokesperson stated.
