SECRET.
Illegal Immigration
Immigration
and
Deportation Legislation
Since 1950 the Hong Kong Government has found it
necessary to restrict entry from the mainland and the quota
for legal immigration from the Kwangtung Province is fifty a
day. Strict measures are taken against illegal immigration
from China but because of the Colony's geographical situation
it is impossible to maintain complete control. The Chinese
border authorities maintain a tight control on their side of
the frontier and there have been several incursions in recent
months by small parties of Chinese civilians from the
mainland into British territory in search of illegal emigrants
from China.
No attempt is made by the Hong Kong authorities
to seek out and return those who succeed in entering the
Colony undetected. But illegal immigrants who are intercepted
are normally returned to China in accordance with international
practice when enquiries have failed to reveal any good reason
why they should not be so returned.
21. The Hong Kong Government have recently introduced into
their legislature an immigration Bill which, if enacted as it
stands, will give the Governor and the Governor in Council
wide powers of removal and deportation from Hong Kong. These
powers will extend to the removal and deportation of Citizens
of the United Kingdom and Colonies. The Bill is at present
being examined in the department against the background of the
United Kingdom Immigration Bill now before Parliament.
/DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY
SECRET
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