In an astonishing Fairfax report, compiled from freedom of information documents, an estimated 120,000 illegal entrants flew into Australia between the years 2008 and 2013... and they remain here on fake passports and false documents.
The majority of illegal fly-ins are on fraudulent student visas and work permits and they departed mostly from Middle Eastern hot spots, including Afghanistan, under the auspices of people smugglers.
Perhaps Sarah Hanson-Young might be convinced to call these people illegal immigrants? Hmmm, no. Sarah will shed another tear while she describes them as more desperate refugees escaping persecution.
The SMH complains that. “... they arrive unchecked while the Government focuses on stopping boats.”
In a comprehensive lead article not once is it mentioned that illegal arrivals on both boats and planes began and continued under the Gillard/Rudd regime.
Fairfax continues, “The confidential Immigration Department files reveal repeated internal warnings over several years that widespread visa fraud is 'business as usual' yet remains largely untreated because the department's investigation and enforcement capacity had collapsed.
“... an internal inquiry into Afghan visa applicants in 2012 assessed that more than 90 per cent of cases contained fraud of some type and raised people smuggling, identity fraud, suspected child trafficking and national security implications.
“Also, a 2010 report reveals that immigration investigators had uncovered a Somali people-smuggling cell in Melbourne linked to terrorist suspect Hussein Hashi Farah, who ‘is believed to have links to the al-Qaeda offshoot al-Shabab’ and who fled Kenyan counterterrorism officials using an Australian passport in 2010.
“But the departmental file shows that a 2009 investigation into the cell's activities was deemed low priority and ceased due to a lack of resources". Hmmm, 2009? Again no mention of the responsible Government of K. Rudd.
■ “Tens of thousands of immigration fraudsters living freely after being assisted by migration crime networks exploiting weaknesses in working, student, family and humanitarian visa programs, including loopholes that have left the department sometimes 'generating the fraud'.
■ “The (immigration) department is 'responsible for granting a record number of student visas to people who may not be considered genuine students as well as granting permanent residence to skilled migration applicants who do not have the appropriate skills being claimed.
■ “In 2013, department chiefs were warned in a confidential report that the agency's investigations arm had collapsed, risking the integrity of its programs and ultimately national security."
Hmmm, let me think, I'm almost certain that was under the Gillard Government.
Fairfax continues, “A 2010 report into a Somali people-smuggling network stated that despite evidence pointing to multiple breaches of the Criminal Code Act and the Migration Act, the department had secured only one minor prosecution. Media attention and three PMQs [prime minister briefings] on this issue have not been enough for the government to address this situation, the immigration file states.
“Another 2010 report states that evidence uncovered to date indicates that fraud within the General Skilled Migration program is extensive with estimates at around 90 per cent [or] more than 40,000 suspect visa applications lodged per year for the last three years.''
Scott Morrison demands urgent report from Immigration Department about claims of widespread visa fraud and migration crime
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has demanded an urgent report from his department about allegations of widespread visa fraud and migration crime uncovered by a Fairfax Media investigation.
Mr Morrison said on Thursday he was as serious about stopping visa fraud as he was about stopping the boats and conceded that fraud in Australia's visa program could be costing Australians jobs.
The allegations, based on hundreds of pages of leaked documents, show widespread visa-rorting and migration rackets are operating in Australia, with some having links to terrorism and organised crime.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-demands-urgent-report-from-immi...
