By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Twenty-three unlawful non-citizens have been deported for various breaches of the Migration Act. This follows a joint operation conducted by several Government agencies.
Immigration Minister, Petrus Thomas, stated that the 23 are among other cases the Department is working on. The 23 were kept at Bomana Correctional Service before being deported.
The unlawful non-citizens had not only breached the conditions of their Visa such as overstay or working in positions contrary to their visa and work permit but also committed other serious offences.
Immigration will further investigate the businesses involved in recruiting them and will take appropriate action on those that are running those businesses. Some of the offences and issues fall outside of the mandate of Immigration and it is recommended for agencies involved to take appropriate action as well against those foreign-owned businesses.
“I commend the efforts made by Immigration and other State agencies who cooperatively did a remarkable operation to identify those who breach the Migration Act and the laws of the country and take necessary action.
“This number indicates that there are many foreign nationals who do business in our country without regard to our laws and visa regulations and we will continue to conduct similar joint agency operations in Port Moresby and other provinces,” said Minister Petrus.
The agencies involved in the operation include Immigration, Custom, Labour Department, Bank of PNG, Police, IPA and Censorship Board.
