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"Starting from 7 o'clock this morning, Immigration Department, with the support of the Hong Kong Police Force, mobilized a total of 75 officers to conduct the operation on absconded right of abode (ROA) claimants. Law enforcement officers entered sixteen residential premises and apprehended 6 immigration offenders, including 4 male and 2 female. They were all overstaying Two-way Permit holders who were absconded ROA claimants with no right to remain in Hong Kong. After investigation, all the arrested persons were repatriated to the Mainland. The operation was conducted smoothly," a spokesman of the Immigration Department said today (July 7).

The spokesman stressed, "Law enforcement officers have acted in strict accordance with the law during the operation. Since the "grace period" expired at the end of March last year, about 3,190 claimants who have lost their litigation have been repatriated to the Mainland. The operation mounted this morning has once again displayed the Government's determination and firm stance to remove the absconded ROA claimants in accordance with the law. The Immigration Department and the Police would continue to conduct the operation as and when required to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers. Law enforcement officers would continue to arrest persons intercepted on the street who are remaining in Hong Kong illegally."

The Immigration Department appealed to claimants who had lost their litigation to seriously consider returning to the Mainland voluntarily and to apply through the legal channel for settlement or visiting relatives in Hong Kong.

End/Monday, July 7, 2003

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