Thursday, 10 May 2012

The Government has announced amendments to the Immigration Act to deter a mass arrival of potentially illegal migrants into New Zealand.

The amendments in the bill will make New Zealand a less desirable target for people smugglers, and therefore encourage people to use legitimate immigration channels to come to New Zealand. The amendments will also help to manage a mass arrival, should it occur.

 

The amendments will:

• establish a definition of “mass arrival” in the Act
• allow detention under group warrant for an initial period of up to six months (unless Immigration New Zealand requests, or the District Court Judge directs, a shorter period of time; or where there are exceptional circumstances in individual cases)
• enable further detention on group or individual warrants for periods of up to 28 days on a warrant of commitment issued by a District Court Judge
• allow regulations to be made to suspend processing of particular asylum claims,
• streamline the processing of asylum claims and appeals.

See the Immigration Amendment Bill.

 

The Immigration Amendment Bill had its first reading in the House on 3 May 2012. It has since been sent to Select Committee for consideration. The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee has now called for public submissions. Submissions must be received by 8 June 2012.

 

See information on how to make a submission to the Select Committee on the bill.

 

People wishing to make a submission can also telephone the Select Committee Office and talk to the secretariat of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee on (04) 817 9520.