Immigration Control

The Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order by controlling entry into the HKSAR. Through close checks at control points and the vetting of entry applications, undesirable persons including international criminals and terrorists are detected and denied entry. In 2006, some 29 033 such people and 13 216 others not in possession of proper documents were refused permission to enter Hong Kong, while 2 749 applications to enter the city were rejected.

Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected 2 387 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 2 334 in 2005. Frequent contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates was maintained to exchange information and intelligence on such documents. Special operations were carried out against forgery syndicates.

Interception of Wanted Persons

In 2006, a total of 278 911 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, 3 151 illegal immigrants from the Mainland were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 2 419 in 2005.

The Immigration Department set up an Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad in January 2005, a fast moving and robust force to combat the problem of illegal workers and the people who employ them. Its main duties involve conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots. A Tactical Squad, also set up in January 2005, assists in both passenger clearance at Lo Wu and other control points and in operations against immigration offenders.

In 2006, some 10 325 illegal workers were arrested in 9 183 raids compared with 12 468 arrests in 6 497 made during operations in 2005. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.

Illegal workers were either fined or jailed before being repatriated to their places of origin. Their employers were also prosecuted. In 2006, a total of 434 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.

Deportation and Removal

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, some 8 032 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation and 485 such persons were deported. Another 558 were removed from the HKSAR. They comprised six illegal immigrants and 552 people who had breached their conditions of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences

During the year, a total of 16 587 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences. These included people remaining in Hong Kong illegally, people who breached conditions of stay, people who made false statements or representations or who used or possessed forged travel documents.