Compliance officers have found six Indonesian nationals who were staying in New Zealand unlawfully.
This included one who had been in the country for more than a decade, arriving in New Zealand in 2013 on a 12-day limited visa to attend a business symposium.
Three individuals arrived between 2018 and 2022 on visitor visas. Another arrived in 2022 with a maritime crew visa to allow him to join a vessel in New Zealand.
The sixth individual absconded from a maritime vessel in 2023 when it paid a scheduled visit to New Zealand.
On May 27, Immigration New Zealand compliance officers located the unlawful migrants and, when interviewed by compliance officers, the six acknowledged they were aware they did not hold valid visas and had failed to depart New Zealand or regularise their immigration status.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said in a statement that the six would remain in custody until being deported. INZ would make the travel arrangements to their home countries and ensure they departed safely from New Zealand.
Steve Watson, Immigration New Zealand compliance and investigations general manager, said the legal obligation to leave New Zealand before a temporary visa expired was clearly communicated on visas.
"Temporary visa holders must ensure that their visa is current. People who overstay their visa are expected to leave New Zealand. Wherever possible, we contact people who overstay their visas through texting, email and – if they fail to depart – Compliance staff may undertake enquiries and if there are no special circumstances to consider, will locate and deport them.
"When someone is unlawfully in New Zealand, we know it’s harder for them to legally engage in society and this means they can be vulnerable to exploitation. Employers are also committing an offence by employing unlawful migrants."
Inquiry into where they had been working
Immigration NZ said the Indonesian nationals all indicated that they had been undertaking casual work in Auckland, including work in the construction sector.
Immigration compliance and investigations was making inquiries into who may have employed the individuals. As of mid-April this year, Immigration could issue employers with infringement notices if they employed migrants in breach of work-related visa conditions, or who were not able to work in New Zealand.
Employers who have been issued with an infringement could be fined and have their ability to support visas for migrant workers, and have their accreditation revoked or lose their recognised seasonal employer status.
“This infringement scheme is in place to ensure we have the necessary tools to combat exploitation and deter employers from taking advantage of migrant workers,” Watson said.
“The scheme will hold more employers accountable for breaking immigration law, deter other employers from breaking immigration law, and create a fair and level playing field for all employers in New Zealand.”
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