338 Public Order
Immigration Department
Immigration Control
The Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order by controlling entry into Hong Kong. Through checks at control points and the vetting of entry applications, immigration officers detect undesirable people, including international criminals and dubious visitors. In 2011, a total of 23 876 undesirable people were refused permission to enter Hong Kong.
Detection of Forged Travel Documents
Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. The department discovered 829 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 1 299 in 2010. The department maintains close contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates, and exchanges information about these documents with them. Special operations were carried out by the department against forgery syndicates.
Interception of Target or Wanted Persons
In 2011, a total of 318 156 targeted or wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points and other offices. They were suspected of being connected with offences or court orders ranging from failure to settle outstanding fines to serious crimes.
Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment
During 2011, a total of 1 748 Mainland illegal immigrants were intercepted and sent back across the boundary, compared with 2 479 in 2010.
The Immigration Department has an Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad, a nimble and robust force, that combats illegal employment. Its main tasks involve conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots.
In 2011, a total of 5 621 illegal workers were arrested in 11 463 raids, including 156 persons arrested under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, compared with 6518 arrested in 11 203 raids in 2010. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.
Illegal workers are fined and/or jailed before being sent back to their places of origin. Their employers are also liable to be prosecuted. In 2011, a total of 359 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.
Deportation and Removal
The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, some 7 295 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation, of which 637 were deported. Another 786 were removed from the HKSAR. They comprised 112 illegal immigrants and 674 people who had breached their conditions of stay.
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