Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

In 1997, 19 584 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated,
compared with 24 408 in 1996. Despite the overall decrease, the number
of illegal immigrant children increased substantially from 751 in 1996 to
2 257 in 1997. The influx started in January 1997 after rumours that
Mainland children born to a permanent resident parent would have
automatic right of stay in the HKSAR after June 30, 1997. Enforcement
action was stepped up and the influx subsided in May 1997.

Illegal workers were either illegal immigrants or visitors who breached
their condition of stay. They were attracted to HKSAR to take up illegal
employment. The lower wages accepted by these illegal workers
encouraged unscrupulous employers to offer them employment. The
Immigration Task Force conducted frequent checks at targeted locations,
including construction sites, factories, restaurants and other places of
employment. In 1997, 1 897 operations were conducted and 3 992 illegal
workers were arrested, compared with 1 618 operations and 4 560 arrests
in 1996.

The illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or gaoled before
being repatriated to their places of origin. Employers of illegal workers
were also prosecuted and fined and, in serious cases, gaoled. In
1997, 371 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with
580 in 1996.

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