Amnesty on overstayers ends

Press, 25 February 1988, Page 14

Amnesty on overstayers ends

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

The amnesty for overstayers living illegally in New Zealand ends on February 29. A detailed statement of the principles and guidelines the Government will follow after March 1 has been issued by the Secretary of Labour, Mr Jas McKenzie. He said that these would enforce compliance with the Immigration Act, 1987, when it resumed fully. But he also said that his Department would be guided by the spirit and intentions of the law as well as the letter. Enforcement would be done without discrimination as to nationality or ethnic origin of the people concerned. Individual circumstances were to be taken into account in each case, Mr McKenzie said. Interpreters would be used

where necessary to ensure everyone had a clear understanding of their obligations and rights.

He said that enforcement inquiries would be made during reasonable hours. Administrative arrangements for the courtordered removal of people unlawfully in New Zealand were to be made in a humane manner with due regard to the individual’s ■ dignity. “We hope that people unlawfully here will choose to leave the country of their own volition before March 1 and the removal provisions of the new act are brought to bear on them,” Mr McKenzie said.

Where they did not go of their own volition then these guidelines were aimed at ensuring the Department’s enforcement was fair, consistent, reasonable and effective.