Australia’s Ongoing Challenge with Visa Overstayers: Why Locating 75,000 Individuals Remains a Daunting Task
Key Points
– The Department of Home Affairs estimates there are 75,400 unlawful non-citizens in Australia.
– Approximately 980 individuals are held in immigration detention facilities, with 200 of them being overstayers.
– A total of 86,929 individuals had not been granted a Protection Visa and had not yet been deported by the end of the period.
In a bustling Chinese restaurant in Australia, the routine of a regular shift was disrupted by the unexpected arrival of officers from the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) in October. Among the employees was Alex*, who had overstayed his Australian visa by seven months, unbeknownst to the authorities.
Alex’s journey to this point began in 2019 when he arrived in Australia on a tourist visa and later transitioned to a student visa, a common tactic for those seeking to extend their stay for work purposes. In 2023, he applied for a protection visa, hoping to secure his status in the country due to its affordability and potentially lengthy processing times. However, his application was rejected in March, leading to his detainment and transfer to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.
The prevalence of overstayers like Alex is not an isolated incident, with at least 200 individuals currently in immigration detention falling under this category, constituting around 20% of the total population in the system. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the number of unlawful individuals in Australia has risen to 75,400 as of June 30, excluding those in detention, marking a 5,500 increase from the previous year.
‘Hopelessly Inadequate’ Resources for Addressing Visa Overstayers
Former deputy secretary of the Department of Immigration, Abul Rizvi, highlighted the significant gap between the government’s ability to locate overstayers and the actual number present in the country. He emphasized the dire insufficiency of resources dedicated to identifying and monitoring these individuals, stating that current efforts fall far short of adequately addressing the issue.
As of September, data from Home Affairs revealed that 86,929 individuals had not been granted a Protection Visa and were still awaiting deportation. To combat visa misuse and overstaying, the government conducts compliance checks at workplaces known for hiring undocumented workers, focusing on sectors like factories and farms during peak seasons.
Moreover, employers are encouraged to verify the work rights of prospective employees through Home Affairs’ system to prevent illegal employment. The consequences of engaging non-citizens without proper work authorization are severe, with penalties imposed on employers for facilitating unlawful work practices.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Tackle Overstaying
Despite ongoing efforts to streamline the asylum processing system and discourage misuse, Rizvi noted that the number of individuals in the asylum system continues to rise each month, currently standing at approximately 118,000 and increasing steadily. By bolstering resources for processing asylum applications, the government aims to expedite the resolution of cases and dissuade individuals from exploiting the system.
In the case of overstayers like Alex, uncertainties about the future loom large, as Australian migration laws mandate detention and eventual deportation for individuals found in violation of visa regulations. Melbourne-based migration lawyer Sean Dong highlighted that the duration of detention prior to deportation varies widely, ranging from a few weeks to over a decade, with an average detention period of 513 days.
Most overstayers are driven by the allure of higher wages and cash-in-hand opportunities in Australia, hoping to amass funds to improve their living standards back home. Dong cautioned against repeating the mistakes of individuals like Alex and urged aspiring migrants to pursue legal avenues for entering Australia to avoid the perils of overstaying.
Parting Words of Caution and Advice
As Alex reflects on his predicament from the confines of immigration detention, he issues a sobering warning to others contemplating similar actions. Stressing the importance of obtaining visas through legitimate channels, he underscores the constant anxiety and uncertainty that accompany the life of an overstayer.
In conclusion, the Department of Home Affairs urges non-citizens without valid visas and lawful grounds for staying in Australia to depart promptly to avoid legal repercussions. The persistent challenge of tracking down and addressing the 75,000 overstayers in the country underscores the complexity of immigration enforcement and the critical need for robust measures to safeguard Australia’s borders and uphold visa integrity.
FAQ
1. What is the current estimate of unlawful non-citizens in Australia?
The Department of Home Affairs estimates that there are 75,400 unlawful individuals present in Australia as of June 30.
2. How long do overstayers typically remain in immigration detention?
The duration of detention for overstayers varies from case to case, with some individuals spending a few weeks in detention while others may be held for more than 10 years. On average, individuals in detention facilities spend 513 days awaiting deportation.
3. What motivates overstayers to remain in Australia?
Overstayers are often driven by the prospect of higher wages and cash-in-hand opportunities in Australia, hoping to accumulate funds to improve their living conditions in their home countries. Title: The Impact of Remote Work on the Future of Employment
Introduction:
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FAQ:
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