New Zealand plans to tighten immigration rules with new legislation aimed at tackling serious crimes and preventing abuse of the asylum system.
The government says the reforms will make the immigration system fairer, safer, and more effective.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced that the new bill, to be introduced on Wednesday, would give authorities “proportionate tools” to manage immigration risks. Key measures include:
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Extending deportation eligibility: Residents could be liable for deportation for serious criminal offending for up to 20 years, up from the current 10.
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Stronger penalties for migrant exploitation: Maximum sentences would rise from 7 to 10 years.
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Addressing false information: Authorities would gain wider powers to act on misleading or false claims during the immigration process.
The bill is expected to pass quickly, as the ruling party holds a parliamentary majority.
Broader asylum and enforcement measures
Alongside the bill, a parliamentary paper will propose additional asylum changes, allowing officials to:
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Consider serious crimes committed in New Zealand before granting refugee status.
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Act more swiftly against claimants acting in bad faith, such as those seeking publicity to support their asylum claims.
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Address failures to attend biometric appointments without valid reasons.
Stanford highlighted that 14 known refugee claimants had been convicted of serious offenses in New Zealand, including murder, serious sexual and drug crimes, and arson.
