19th December 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Immigration Department (ImmD) has completed a five‑day repatriation drive, codenamed “Shield”, running from 15th to 19th December, removing a total of 77 unsubstantiated non‑refoulement claimants comprising illegal immigrants and overstayers. Those returned to their places of origin included 38 men and 39 women, among them former prisoners convicted of criminal offences and sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
The ImmD said it remains focused on swiftly removing claimants whose non‑refoulement bids have been found unsubstantiated, in order to uphold effective immigration control and protect the public interest. Under the updated removal policy in force since 7th December 2022, the department may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant once their judicial review has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, a change intended to accelerate the process and strengthen enforcement.
The department added that, subject to operational needs, it will continue to expedite removals and maintain close coordination with the governments of major source countries, airlines and other relevant departments, to repatriate unsubstantiated claimants from Hong Kong as promptly as practicable using all appropriate measures.
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