HONG KONG 2004 - Public Order

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 2004, 17 838 such travellers and 10 446 others not in possession of proper documentation were refused permission to land, and 2 423 applications for entry were refused.

Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected 2 521 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 3 094 in 2003. Frequent contacts with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates were maintained to exchange information and intelligence on the use of such documents. Special operations were mounted against forgery syndicates.

In 2004, 253 573 wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points and other offices. They were suspected to be connected with trafficking in dangerous drugs and other criminal offences such as murder and robbery.

In 2004, 3 364 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 4 052 in 2003.

The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who breached their conditions of stay. The Immigration Task Force conducted frequent checks at targeted locations, including construction sites, factories, restaurants, premises under renovation and other places of employment. In 2004, 7 659 operations were conducted and 15 727 illegal workers were arrested, compared with 5 739 operations and 16 548 arrests in 2003.

Illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or jailed before being repatriated to their places of origin. Their employers were also prosecuted. In 2004, 507 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with 445 in 2003.

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, 7 599 persons convicted of possessing or trafficking in dangerous drugs, deception, theft, forgery and other criminal offences were considered for deportation and 608 were deported. Another 745 were removed from the HKSAR under removal orders, covering 20 illegal immigrants and 725 people who had breached their conditions of stay.

During the year, 21 390 charges were laid against persons 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.