U.S. immigration policy is under detailed review, the U.K. is looking to tighten its immigration policy following its exit from the European Union, and Australian immigration policy has also begun to tighten. Since the strengthening of Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act in 2014, 1,000 foreign criminals had their visas cancelled and were deported last year.
I. Australia Deported One Thousand Foreign Criminals Last Year
According to reports, following the strengthening of Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act, Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton has since gained more power to deport foreign citizens who engage in criminal activities in Australia. It is reported that in 2016, under the stricter Australian Migration Act, more than 1,000 foreign criminals had their visas cancelled and were deported.
Dutton recently stated that Australia welcomes millions of foreign citizens on short-term or long-term visas every year. Most of them comply with Australian laws, enjoying their holidays or living peacefully in Australia, and form a part of Australian society.
He said: "Unfortunately, a very small number of people engage in criminal activities. We strengthened Section 501 of the Migration Act in 2014 to better deal with those Australian visa holders who commit serious offenses. Since then, we have cancelled the Australian visas of over 2,000 foreign nationals. This includes 138 members of outlaw motorcycle gangs."
II. New South Wales Cancelled 359 Criminal Visas
Dutton confirmed that in 2016, New South Wales cancelled a total of 359 foreign criminal visas, Queensland cancelled 301, Victoria and Western Australia cancelled 173 and 168 respectively, while South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania cancelled 41, 7, 4, and 3 foreign citizen visas respectively.
Dutton pointed out that the Australian federal government is determined to do everything possible to protect the safety of Australian society, "Foreign citizens who defy Australian laws, harm Australian citizens, or commit serious crimes should be clear that they will lose their eligibility to remain in Australia, and their visas will be cancelled and they will be deported."
III. Deportation Age May Be Lowered to Under 18
Previously, Dutton also revealed that a joint standing committee of the Parliament on migration matters is discussing whether to deport young foreign immigrants who commit serious crimes in Australia. He stated that regardless of the case, the age threshold for deporting juvenile offenders may be lowered to between 16 and 18 years old. He added: "We will not deport children; we will try to communicate with their families to deal with these difficult issues together."