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Friday, July 9, 1971
It will no longer be necessary to obtain a conviction against an
illegal immigrant, or overstayer, or person in breach of other conditions
of stay, before ordering his removal.
The expenses involved in removing such persons will be met from funds provided by the Legislative Council, except that the Colonial Secretary
may use the money of the persons to be removed to meet such expenses.
The Bill further provides that the Governor in Council may make
a deportation order against any immigrant, whether a British subject or
an alien, who is found guilty in Hong Kong of any offence punishable with
imprisonment, or whose deportation the Governor in Council deems to be
conducive to the public good.
Powers Of Detention
A deportation order, however, may not be made against an immigrant
citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies who has been ordinarily resident
in Hong Kong for a continuous period of 10 years.
The Bill proposes to permit an immigration officer of the rank of
Chief Immigration Officer or above or police officer of the rank of Assistant
Superintendent or above to detain an immigrant for not more than seven days
for enquiries connected with the Ordinance. The present permitted period
of detention is four days, which experience has shown to be sometimes
inadequate.
The Director of Immigration will be given the power to detain a
person who has lodged an objection to the Governor in Council against the
Director's decision. Experience has shown that this power is necessary to
prevent persons disappearing while their objection is being considered.
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