repatriated and return to Hong Kong, like
many in similar circumstances, legally under
the one way permit scheme. But we decided,
on humanitarian grounds, not to detain or to
repatriate them until their children, some
had been
of whom were born out of wedlock, were all
given the right to stay in Hong Kong. These illegal
immigrant mothers were released on recognizance and
asked to report regularly to the Immigration
Department.
t
Sir, I would like to stress that at no time
were they mothers given any indication
that they would eventually be allowed to
stay. As adult illegal immigrants who have
given birth to children while in Hong Kong,
their. circumstances are no different from
many we have repatriated since 23 October
1980. To allow these women to stay would be
grossly unfair to those whom we have
repatriated over the years.
In order to make the repatriation less
these illegal immigrant
painful the
mothers may return to China
with their children if they so wish. As