Prevent illegal exit to Australia

(Baonghean) - Labor export has had a positive impact, creating jobs and significant income for workers, contributing to the stability and development of the local economy. However, the biggest challenge today is the situation of illegal immigration abroad, including to Australia...

Many risks

Losing a large sum of money with the dream of changing their lives in the land of kangaroos, in the end, what illegal border crossers receive is anxiety, fear and loss of both property and life. The story of Ms. NTH and some other victims that we heard at the media session in Nghi Hoa ward (Cua Lo town) is a typical example. Ms. H herself is only a housewife, her life is difficult, listening to the enticements of some people, she gritted her teeth and borrowed nearly 200 million VND to "bribe" for the trip to Australia. The journey at sea was extremely miserable. Even more unfortunate, when she arrived in Australia, she was arrested by the local police and escorted back to her country.

Nghe An Border Guard propagates to people of Nghi Hoa ward (Cua Lo town) about illegal immigration to Australia by waterway.

In Nghi Hoa ward, there are currently 13 people working in Australia, some of whom went to study abroad, some of whom illegally crossed the border, and three of whom have been deported. Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of Nghi Hoa ward People's Committee, said: People wanting to work in Australia is a legitimate need, because this is a labor market where it is easy to find jobs, high income and a fairly stable life. However, due to limited awareness and lack of information, they are easily taken advantage of and become victims of brokers luring them in for illegal profits.

According to research, to illegally immigrate to Australia, people follow three main routes. The first is to cross the border by boat and go straight to Australia. The second is to go by boat to Indonesia and then continue the journey. In addition, they also travel by air as tourists and after arriving, they will hide and live illegally. Of these forms, crossing the border by boat is the most dangerous because the journey is long, the ship carrying people may not meet the requirements and is very easy to sink. Moreover, they may encounter pirates or be detected by the authorities. Discussing this issue, Mr. David Edwards, First Secretary, Main Security in Immigration - Australian Embassy warned that: This is a very dangerous journey and most of the people who organize the journey do not care about the safety of passengers on these trips. During the process of escaping to Australia, these people encountered many risks, dangers and negative consequences. Not only did they lose large sums of money to illegal immigrants, they were also starved for many days, beaten, exploited for labor, sexually abused and even lost their lives.

Many people risked their lives on the journey to Australia, believing the organizers and smugglers who told them they would be welcomed in Australia, given jobs, housing and education. However, in reality, most of the people who were lured and tricked into illegally leaving for Australia were discovered, arrested, investigated and returned to Vietnam by Australian authorities.

According to Australian government statistics, from 2009 to 2013, more than 52,000 people came to Australia illegally by boat, including more than 1,000 from Vietnam. Of these, about 1,200 people died at sea. In April 2015 alone, 46 Vietnamese people who tried to come to Australia illegally by boat were discovered by Australian authorities and sent back to their home country. Nghe An is the province with the largest number of illegal immigrants to Australia, accounting for nearly 90% of those assisted to return home.

From 2010 to present, the authorities of Nghe An province have prosecuted, investigated and tried 42 cases/83 defendants, including 6 cases/10 defendants who organized more than 70 citizens to illegally exit the country to Australia. Typical cases include the cases of Nguyen Dinh Chien and Nguyen Van Son, residing in Nghi Tan ward (Cua Lo town) in 2011. In addition, in coordination with the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Police, Ho Chi Minh City investigated and handled dozens of other cases of organizing the escape of nearly 300 people to Australia. Notable cases include the case of Hoang Van An, born in 1956, residing in Nghi Van commune, Nghi Loc district, and his accomplices, organizing 21 workers to go to Australia; the case of Bui Van Thuan, born in 1954, residing in Nghi Van commune, Nghi Loc district, and his accomplices, organizing 11 workers from Vietnam to Indonesia to use boats to cross the sea to Australia; The case of Dang Huu Be, born in 1976, residing in Quan Hanh Town, Nghi Loc District, and his accomplices, organized for about 15 Vietnamese people to illegally exit the country as tourists to Laos, then to Indonesia, and from there to Australia by sea. The harmful consequences of this activity have caused huge economic, security, order, and social safety consequences, negatively affecting the country's image and foreign relations. Because, currently, most governments, including the UK, Australia, Canada... are applying tough measures to protect their borders and prevent illegal immigration. All cases of illegal immigration without a visa will never be allowed to settle, regardless of who they are and for what reason.

Strengthen communication

In recent times, local Party committees and authorities have paid great attention and focused on leadership and direction; closely coordinated with international organizations in Vietnam, governments of other countries and relevant agencies, departments and forces to exchange and share information on the situation of illegal migration; effectively implemented many programs and solutions to develop and improve economic, cultural and social life; eradicate poverty... At the same time, strengthen the prevention, fight and stop of illegal immigration and emigration activities; tighten management at border gates, borders and sea areas; focus on monitoring and administrative management in each locality. Promoting communication and propaganda is also considered one of the important solutions to help people have a clearer and deeper awareness of the dangers of illegal border crossings to Australia. Colonel Tran Hai Binh, Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff (Provincial Border Guard) said: Currently, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Governments of relevant countries, especially the Australian and Canadian Embassies in Vietnam, the Provincial Border Guard has been effectively implementing communication campaigns in the community. Focusing on in-depth communication in residential communities, boat docks, especially areas and people with potential for illegal migration with many forms such as posters, leaflets, newspapers, direct consultation, dramatization, news read on local loudspeakers in conjunction with legal documents, providing documents related to migration abroad, labor export...

With the tough measures from Australia and the current laws of Vietnam, illegal immigrants to Australia will not be allowed to immigrate under any form. Therefore, people need to know to avoid falling into the trap of brokers who specialize in bringing immigrants and illegal immigrants abroad, losing money and getting sick.

Khanh Ly - My Ha