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165 arrested in ImmD anti-illegal worker focused operations (with photos)
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      The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of anti-illegal worker focused operations by conducting surprise inspections and enforcement actions, targeting four industries, including renovation, catering, logistics and cleansing, which are prone to involvement with illegal employment from July 2 to yesterday (August 14). A total of 165 persons were arrested, including 109 suspected illegal workers, 54 suspected employers and two suspected aiders and abettors. Among them, 61 persons have been prosecuted for offences under the Immigration Ordinance, with 49 persons sentenced to prison terms ranging from 54 days to 18 months.

      The ImmD has long been highly vigilant against the problem of illegal employment and has taken vigorous and effective enforcement actions. The ImmD has mounted intelligence-led focused operations in multiple targeted locations. From July 2 to August 14, ImmD investigators, employing strategies including decoy operations, conducted raids at 721 targeted locations across various districts in Hong Kong, including private housing estates, newly built/inhabited housing estates, shop units under renovation, restaurants and popular gathering spots for food delivery riders.

     The arrested illegal workers include dishwashers, kitchen workers, waiters, waitresses, food delivery riders, renovation workers, cleaners and logistics workers. They aged between 19 and 56, comprised 35 non-ethnic Chinese persons (including 11 recognisance forms holders prohibited from taking any employment) and 74 Mainlanders. Among the illegal workers arrested, 7 persons were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards. Additionally, 55 Hong Kong residents and 1 Mainlander were arrested for suspected involvement in employing illegal workers or aiding and abetting others in breaching their conditions of stay in Hong Kong. Serious investigation will be conducted on the employers and contractors, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests or prosecutions.

     Among the arrested illegal workers, 61 persons have been prosecuted for offences under the Immigration Ordinance, including breach of conditions of stay, using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card, and taking employment while being an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land. Among them, 49 persons have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 54 days to 18 months.

     The spokesman said that the ImmD will continue to combat illegal employment activities. The ImmD is committed to combating illegal employment by illegal immigrants, visitors, foreign domestic helpers, and imported workers bound by specific employment conditions in order to protect the local labour market. If illegal activities are suspected, citizens may contact the ImmD's dedicated hotline (2824 1551), email (anti_crime@immd.gov.hk) and online reporting platform (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/online-services/) to report illegal employment activities.
 
Ends/Friday, August 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:10
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The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of anti-illegal worker focused operations from July 2 to yesterday (August 14). Photo shows evidence seized by ImmD officers during the operations.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of anti-illegal worker focused operations from July 2 to yesterday (August 14). Photo shows suspected illegal workers arrested during an operation.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of anti-illegal worker focused operations from July 2 to yesterday (August 14). Photo shows suspected illegal workers arrested during an operation.