Abstract
This chapter traces the rise of an aspect of crimmigration—the entwining of criminal and migration laws—in Australia: the removal of non-citizens on ‘character’ grounds. Changes to laws and policies in 2014–2015 have increased powers for the identification and removal of non-citizens who engage in, or are suspected of engaging in, criminal conduct. The Australian Government has argued that the new laws are necessary to remove individuals who are deemed a ‘risk’ to public safety. This chapter questions this risk management approach. Drawing upon the experience of the United States, and through a case study of the effect of the new regime on New Zealand permanent residents, I argue that this approach is akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
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Notes
- 1.
The two powers can be found in sections 501(2) (delegate may cancel) and 501(3) (Minister personally may cancel).
- 2.
See section 500 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is a merits review body that has the power to review a decision and to affirm, set aside and substitute a decision or to remit the decision back to the original decision-maker with directions.
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Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v Stretton (2016) FCAFC 11, 15 February.
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Legislation
Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (Cth).
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (US).
Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Migration Amendment Act 1983 (Cth).
Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Act 2014 (Cth).
Migration Legislation Amendment (Strengthening of Provisions Relating to Character and Conduct) Act 1998 (Cth).
Migration (Offences and Undesirable Persons) Amendment Act 1992 (Cth).
Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015 (NZ).
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Hoang, K. (2018). The Rise of Crimmigration in Australia: Importing Laws and Exporting Lives. In: Carrington, K., Hogg, R., Scott, J., Sozzo, M. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Criminology and the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65021-0_38
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