Hong Kong deports 113 failed asylum seekers in week-long operation

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ng Kang-chungJanuary 19, 2026 at 10:43 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Hong Kong deported 113 failed asylum seekers, consisting of 68 men and 45 women, in a week-long operation called "Shield." The Immigration Department stated the individuals, originating mainly from Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, were illegal immigrants and overstayers whose non-refoulement claims were unsubstantiated. Some of those deported had completed prison sentences for criminal offenses committed in Hong Kong. The operation, which began last Monday, was enabled by an updated repatriation policy implemented in December 2022. This policy allows for the swift deportation of claimants once their judicial review bid is dismissed by the High Court, aiming to deter abuse of the asylum system and allocate resources to genuine cases.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

High Court 40% Shield 50% India 60% Indonesia 60% Vietnam 60% Immigration Department 70% Hong Kong ×290%

Keywords

deportation 100% asylum seekers 90% non-refoulement 80% hong kong 70% repatriation 60% criminal offences 50% immigration department 50% rejected applicants 40% judicial review 40%