ACT compliance operation nets 30 illegal workers

A compliance operation in the Canberra suburb of Barton today resulted in the location of 30 illegal workers in the construction industry.The workers were detained at a construction site in an operation involving the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), with assistance from the Australian Federal Police.

Officers found 30 unlawful non-citizens, including one South Korean, one person from Hong Kong and 28 Chinese nationals, all of whom were working illegal on the construction site.

The group has now been detained and will be transferred to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, pending their removal from Australia at the earliest opportunity.

Investigations into the circumstances of their employment are continuing.

A departmental spokesman said the operation served as a warning to individuals and employers that illegal work and breaches of immigration law will not be tolerated.

“The department is committed to ensuring the integrity of its migration and visa programs,” the spokesman said.

“The operation demonstrates that if people work illegally or employ illegal workers, they will be caught.

“It is the responsibility of employers to check with the department that all people they hire have the legal right to work in Australia.”

Employers can face severe penalties for hiring people who do not have work rights in Australia. Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.

People with information about illegal workers or visa over-stayers are encouraged to call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.

Employers can gain access to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service which allows employers to provide relevant identification details of prospective employees with their consent to quickly confirm that they are eligible to work in Australia.

Source: DIAC Newsroom

Unregistered migration agent pleads guilty

        

   An education agent for international students in Sydney pleaded guilty today in Downing Centre Local Court for providing and charging for immigration assistance when he was not registered as a migration agent.

The Department of the Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) initiated court action against the agent, Kai Hua (Kevin) Cong, when it was discovered he had unlawfully asked for and received fees for providing immigration assistance.

A departmental spokesman warned similar operators – whose role is to liaise between international students and local educational institutions – that they could face possible prison terms and fines for providing immigration assistance, even if they operate as an education agent.

“Although education agents do not need to be registered, migration agents must be registered to ensure they have the requisite qualifications and undertake professional development to maintain their knowledge of migration law and procedure,” the spokesman said.

Mr Cong pleaded guilty today to two counts of asking for and receiving fees for providing immigration assistance while unregistered, in contravention of section 281 of the Migration Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

A further charge of giving unregistered immigration assistance, which attracts a fine of up to $6600 under the Migration Act, was placed on a schedule. This charge will be taken into account during sentencing, which is listed for February 22.

Migration agents are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA).

Clients wishing to find out whether an individual is registered as a migration agent can do so by visiting the Office of the MARA’s website at https://www.mara.gov.au/.

Source : Australian Immigration