Four-Day Operation Nets 16 Illegals in Central West NSW
Media Release - DPS 43/2003
Sixteen people have been found working illegally following immigration checks in Central West NSW, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) confirmed today.
The four-day operation was undertaken by officers from DIMIA and took place in Katoomba, Bathurst, Dubbo, Wellington, Narromine and Mudgee from 23 June to 26 June.
During the operation, DIMIA officers located 16 unlawful non-citizens including some in workplaces such as restaurants, farms and retail shopping centres. Of these people, 14 were unlawfully in Australia and two had their visas cancelled for working in breach of their visa conditions.
Ten of the people were detained and six were granted Bridging Visas. Of the ten detained, two were males from Indonesia, four males and one female were from Korea and two males and one female were from the People's Republic of China. Of those granted Bridging Visas, 2 males and 3 females were from Jordan and one female was from the People's Republic of China.
All ten people detained were transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney where they will remain until their removal from Australia, as required by law.
DIMIA officers, often with assistance from state police, make regular visits to workplaces in many parts of Australia, including 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 2001-02 financial year, the Department located 17,307 overstayers
and people breaching visa conditions around Australia. The number
of locations has increased significantly since 2000-01, when 14,238
overstayers and people breaching visa conditions were found.
27 June 2003
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