Immigration Control

The Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order by controlling entry into the HKSAR. Through examination at control points and vetting of entry applications, undesirable persons including international criminals and terrorists are detected and denied entry. In 2005, 25 141 such travellers and 14 733 others not in possession of proper documentation were refused permission to land, and 2 547 applications for entry were refused.

Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected 2 334 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 2 521 in 2004. Frequent contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates was maintained to exchange information and intelligence on the use of such documents. Special operations were mounted against forgery syndicates.

Interception of Wanted Persons

In 2005, 273 025 wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points and other offices. They were suspected of being connected with trafficking in dangerous drugs and other criminal offences such as murder and robbery.

Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

During the year, 2 419 illegal immigrants from the Mainland were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 3 364 in 2004.

The Immigration Department set up an Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad in January, a fast and robust force to combat the problem of illegal workers and their employers. Its main duties involve conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots and taking immediate action after reports of illegal workers. The Tactical Squad, also set up in January, will assist in both passenger clearance at Lo Wu and other control points and enforcement operations against immigration offenders.

In 2005, 12 468 illegal workers were arrested in 6 497 operations compared to 15 727 arrested in 7 659 operations in 2004. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.

Illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or jailed before being repatriated to their places of origin. Their employers were also prosecuted. In 2005, 450 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with 507 in 2004.

Deportation and Removal

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, 7 691 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation and 551 were deported. Another 868 were removed from the HKSAR under removal orders, covering nine illegal immigrants and 859 people who had breached their conditions of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences

During the year, 19 273 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences. These included remaining in the HKSAR illegally, breaching conditions of stay, making false statements or representations and using or possessing forged travel documents.