New Zealand to tighten immigration rules to curb crimes, migrant exploitation
New Zealand will introduce a bill to tighten deportation, asylum and immigration enforcement rules, aiming to address serious crimes, migrant exploitation and misuse of the system, according to a report by Reuters. The government said the changes are designed to strengthen oversight while maintaining a fair and functional immigration system.
The proposed legislation will extend the period during which a resident can be deported for serious criminal offences from 10 years to 20 years. It will also increase the maximum sentence for migrant exploitation to 10 years, up from seven, and expand powers to act against false or misleading information submitted during immigration processes.
Erica Stanford said the changes would give authorities “proportionate tools” to manage immigration risks while ensuring the system remains effective.
The bill is expected to pass as the government holds a majority in Parliament, though it will go through the standard three readings before becoming law.
The move comes as several countries review immigration and asylum systems to respond to concerns around misuse, deportation of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes, and maintaining public support for refugee protections.
Alongside the bill, the government will also present a parliamentary paper proposing further asylum changes. These include allowing officials to consider serious crimes committed in New Zealand before granting refugee status.
Stanford said 14 known refugee claimants in the country have been convicted of serious offences, including murder, sexual crimes, drug offences and arson.
Additional proposals will allow faster action against claimants acting in bad faith, including those seeking publicity to support asylum claims and those who fail to attend biometric appointments without valid reasons, the Reuters report said.
The proposed legislation will extend the period during which a resident can be deported for serious criminal offences from 10 years to 20 years. It will also increase the maximum sentence for migrant exploitation to 10 years, up from seven, and expand powers to act against false or misleading information submitted during immigration processes.
Erica Stanford said the changes would give authorities “proportionate tools” to manage immigration risks while ensuring the system remains effective.
The bill is expected to pass as the government holds a majority in Parliament, though it will go through the standard three readings before becoming law.
The move comes as several countries review immigration and asylum systems to respond to concerns around misuse, deportation of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes, and maintaining public support for refugee protections.
Alongside the bill, the government will also present a parliamentary paper proposing further asylum changes. These include allowing officials to consider serious crimes committed in New Zealand before granting refugee status.
Stanford said 14 known refugee claimants in the country have been convicted of serious offences, including murder, sexual crimes, drug offences and arson.
Additional proposals will allow faster action against claimants acting in bad faith, including those seeking publicity to support asylum claims and those who fail to attend biometric appointments without valid reasons, the Reuters report said.
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