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| The deportees are loaded onto a van on the way to the airport |
Hong Kong Immigration has deported a total of 56 “unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants” back to their countries of origin over the past three days.
The deportees were either overstayers or had entered Hong Kong illegally, and were fighting off immigration’s attempt to send them back home in a vain bid to be cleared for asylum in a third country.
Their being described as “unsubstantiated” claimants means they failed to meet the criteria set for their being granted asylum, such as political or religious persecution in their home country.
Among them were former foreign domestic helpers as well as discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences.
According to a statement released by Immigration earlier today, the deportees comprised 28 men and 28 women, but did not disclose their nationalities.
But it is likely that a big number of them are Filipinos who have just been released from prison after being convicted of crimes such as money laundering, theft, illegal work or violating their visa condition by overstaying.
According to Immigration, it is committed “to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest.”
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| The deportees are escorted directly to the plane that took them back home |
Under the updated removal policy that took effect from Dec 7, 2022, Immigration may in general, proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance… “thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.”
This could be done even if the claimant has lodged an appeal against the CFI’s decision not to grant leave for a review of Immigration’s decision to reject the non-refoulement claim.
Depending on
circumstances and needs, Immigration said it will expedite the removal process
by closely liaising with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement
claimants, airline companies and other government departments.
It reiterated its commitment to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong “as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.”
