Hong Kong’s Immigration Department (ImmD) has arrested 27 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers, one aider and abettor, and four overstayers during a series of coordinated anti-illegal worker operations over four days this month.
The operations, codenamed “Lightshadow”, “Twilight”, and “Champion”, saw immigration and police officers raid a total of 128 target locations across Hong Kong, including residential buildings, restaurants, and retail shops. Among those arrested were 23 suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers, and four overstayers.
An ImmD spokesman warned that employing illegal workers is a serious offense, with maximum penalties of a HK$500,000 fine and 10 years’ imprisonment. The spokesman reiterated that employers have an explicit duty to ensure prospective employees are lawfully employable, and that the courts will not accept failure to do so as a defense.
The operations also uncovered suspected cases of document forgery, with one man and six women arrested for using and possessing forged Hong Kong identity cards. Forgery offenses can lead to fines of up to HK$100,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment.
In a statement, the ImmD said it would continue its resolute enforcement against such offenses, adding that any person who contravenes their condition of stay in Hong Kong faces prosecution and potential imprisonment.
