Immigration tightlipped on repatriation

Director of Immigration Nemani Vuniwaqa has made it clear that the Fiji Immigration Department has the right to stop visitors from entering Fiji.

His clarification comes in light of a complaint made to the Fiji Sun about three Chinese nationals who were allegedly questioned upon their arrival on Monday and sent back to China on Wednesday. The three men, Huang Yaping, Deng Yiming and Feng Haiguo, were travelling from Hong Kong to Nadi.

According to their airline ticket, Mr Yiming and Mr Haiguo were expected to return to Hong Kong on March 13 and Mr Yaping on January 23, 2019.

Kester Yee, who has been living in Fiji for the past 70 years, is a friend of the three men and was expecting their arrival.

The 82-year-old was distraught when he heard what happened and even more upset because he remains unaware of the reason they were detained and sent back to Hong Kong.

“They were detained and their phones were taken away,” Mr Yee claims.

“It was their first trip to Fiji. “I liaised with officials from the Immigration Department, but we have not been informed of what happened or what was wrong that caused them to be sent back.” Meanwhile, Mr Vuniwaqa declined to comment further on the matter.

However, he said, “when visitors are considered not genuine at the border, we have the right to stop them from entering the country and send them back.

“Not genuine for various reasons,” and he did not elaborate further. Further questions sent to Mr Vuniwaqa through email remained unanswered when this issue went to press last night.

When contacted on Thursday, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Chen Chen said she was not aware of the incident.

Edited by Epineri Vula