Ten Detained Following Compliance Activity in Riverina
Media Release - DPS 13/2003
Ten unlawful non-citizens are in immigration detention following five days of compliance activity in the Riverina region, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) announced today.
From 12 to 17 February 2003 a joint operation between the ACT Regional Office of DIMIA and NSW Police found eight men and two women who were in Australia illegally. The unlawfuls were found following visits to workplaces and private residences.
The group comprises six from Thailand, three from Fiji, and one
from Papua New Guinea.
All 10 have been detained at the Villawood Immigration Detention
Centre in Sydney where they will remain while arrangements are made
for their departure from Australia as required by law.
The successful compliance activity in the Riverina follows recent operations in Sydney where 88 people were detained after being found in Australia unlawfully or working in breach of visa conditions.
DIMIA officers make regular visits to workplaces in many parts of Australia, such as restaurants, farms, shops, offices, factories and brothels, in an effort to detect and locate people who are in the country illegally or who are working illegally. DIMIA may also issue warning notices to employers or labour suppliers who are found to have employed illegal workers.
In the 2001-02 financial year, the Department located 17,307 overstayers and people breaching visa conditions nationally. The number of locations has increased significantly since 2000-01, when 14,238 overstayers and people breaching visa conditions were detained.
19 February 2003
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Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)