ENG-2010 — Page 395

Public Order | 333

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 2010, a total of 33 983 undesirable people were refused permission to enter Hong Kong.

Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures are taken to guard against forged travel documents. The department discovered 1 299 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 1 207 in 2009. 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 2010, a total of 320 431 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 2010, a total of 2 479 Mainland illegal immigrants were intercepted and sent back across the boundary, compared with 2 028 in 2009.

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 2010, a total of 6518 illegal workers were arrested in 11 203 raids, compared with 5 911 arrested in 10 829 raids in 2009. 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 2010, a total of 343 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.

Deportation and Removal

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, some 6 744 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation, of which 642 were deported. Another 584 were removed from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They comprised 236 illegal immigrants and 348 people who had breached their conditions of stay.