Australia cancels visas of violent migrants

In the recent 5 years, Australia has canceled visas of migrants that have been convicted of violent crimes, especially against women and children. 

Over 5,000 violent migrants have been deported by Australia in the recent years. As per official figures from the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian government, among the deportees, a significant number – 452 – has been of child sex offenders. 

Another 220 deportees have been convicted of rape. 93 were murderers. 

The deportation figures reveal that visa cancellations have gone up to about 3 a day since certain changes were introduced by the government of Australia. 

In 2014, changes were made to the character test under Section 501 – “Refusal or cancellation of visa on character grounds” of the Migration Act, 1958. With the changes in 2014, immigrants that have been sentenced to 12 months in jail will have their visas automatically cancelled. 

Visa cancellation on character grounds is also applicable to those convicted of child sex offences. With the various policy changes incorporated in 2014, the number of visa cancellations under the Morrison government are said to be more than in any other period. 

In conversation with The Australian, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has stated that the Australian government is indeed taking a hard line of approach to non-citizens that had been convicted of violent crimes. 

Dutton furthers says, “My first priority is to keep our community safe from those who seek to do us harm. If you have committed a crime, especially against a woman or a child, you are not welcome in Australia.”

The coalition government in Australia is attempting to bring about more changes to the Migration Act, making visa cancellation easier. 

New laws are being sought that will lower the sentencing threshold of 12 months to any crime that is capable of carrying a sentence of 12 months. 

All those with visa cancellations are placed in the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre prior to being deported from the country.

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