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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 2014, 42,177 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 also carries out special operations against forgery syndicates. In 2014, 523 forged travel documents were discovered, compared with 765 in 2013. The department maintains close contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates, and exchanges information on these documents with them.
Interception of Targeted or Wanted Persons
In 2014, 336,967 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 2014, 6,100 illegal workers were arrested in 13,462 raids, compared with 6,052 arrested in 13,708 raids in 2013. 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 2014, a total of 302 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.
Deportation and Removal
The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. In 2014, 441 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were recommended for deportation, and 350 were deported. Another 624 were removed from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), comprising 127 illegal immigrants and 497 people who had breached their conditions of stay.
Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offenders
During 2014, 4,220 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 employment, whether paid or unpaid, and 205 people were prosecuted under that provision in 2014.
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