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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 2013, 37,105 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 and the department carries out special operations against forgery syndicates. The department discovered 765 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 688 in 2012. The department maintains close contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates, and exchanges information about these documents with them.
Interception of Target or Wanted Persons
In 2013, 326,883 targeted or wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points, suspected of being connected with offences or court orders ranging from failure to settle outstanding fines to serious crimes.
Unlawful Employment
The Immigration Department's Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad combats illegal employment, conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots. In 2013, 6,052 illegal workers were arrested in 13,708 raids, compared with 5,849 arrested in 13,701 raids in 2012. 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 2013, a total of 362 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.
Deportation and Removal
The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. In 2013, 7,579 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation, and 581 were deported. Another 756 were removed from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), comprising 90 illegal immigrants and 666 people who had breached their conditions of stay.
Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offenders
During 2013, 5,532 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences, including remaining illegally in Hong Kong, breaching conditions of stay, making false statements or representations, and using or possessing forged travel documents.
Illegal immigrants or persons subject to removal or deportation orders are prohibited under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance from taking up employment, whether paid or unpaid, and 155 people were prosecuted under that provision in 2013.
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