HONG KONG: A whopping two-thirds fewer overseas illegal immigrants have been caught and handcuffed while sneaking in by boat since the city banned them from working here early last month, said a security official.

Under Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok told lawmakers that during the two weeks before a law amendment barring smugglers from taking jobs took effect on November 14, 24 overseas illegal immigrants were arrested in Hong Kong waters.

But the number tumbled more than 60 percent to eight smugglers between November 14 and November 29, Lai said.

At a meeting of the Legislative Council's security panel yesterday, he also revealed that a daily average of nine torture claimants withdrew their claims from November 14 to November 26, seven more than the daily average figure of two in the three months before the legal loophole was plugged.

Lai vowed to closely keep track of the situation and said the Immigration Department will publicize the law amendment through various channels.

A High Count ruling in March meant that illegal immigrants who stayed in the city after making torture claims could legally take jobs.

Police said the ruling had sparked an influx of illegal immigrants, mostly from South Asia.

But since the Court of First Instance ruled in December last year that the government's screening procedures for assessing torture claims fell below the standard of fairness, authorities have suspended the process.

As at the end of October this year, 6,203 claims were pending screening, government figures showed.

Lai said it plans to resume the screening process by the end of this year, with improvement measures put in place.

They include provision of legal aid for poor claimants and introduction of an independent appeal system for those whose applications are rejected.

(HK Edition 12/02/2009 page1)