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Immigration Department repatriates 25 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin (with photos)
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     The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations on August 13 and 14. A total of 25 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were overstayers were repatriated to their places of origin. All the persons removed were former foreign domestic helpers. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
 
     The ImmD is very concerned about the abuse of the non-refoulement claim mechanism and is aware that a number of claimants were former foreign domestic helpers. The ImmD has been co-operating with the relevant consulates-general in Hong Kong and will continue such co-operation to step up publicity and education for newly arriving foreign domestic helpers to help them understand that they should not abuse the non-refoulement claim mechanism.
 
     Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants. The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process and actively maintain close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest.
 
Ends/Friday, August 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:54
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The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations on August 13 and 14. A total of 25 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants were repatriated to their places of origin. Photo shows removees being escorted by ImmD officers to proceed from the detention place to the airport.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations on August 13 and 14. A total of 25 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants were repatriated to their places of origin. Photo shows removees being escorted by ImmD officers to depart from Hong Kong.