Deportees unable to leave NZ
People waiting to be deported are sitting in prison cells during lockdown because they are unable to be sent to their country of origin.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has confirmed it has seven people detained under the Immigration Act.
Deportees are required to be sent with an escorting police officer but police withdrew escort duties on March 15 because of potential health risks. It is also a requirement of airlines to have an escorting officer.
Difficulties with travel meant officers who went to an overseas country to return a deportee would then have to spend 14 days in self-isolation on returning.
Wellington District Court judge Bill Hastings considered two cases in early April, one of whom was waiting to go to Fiji.
Raymond Claudius has a history of deceiving immigration officials and using various identities. Jonacani Soba is unlawfully in New Zealand. Both were to be deported on March 18.
However once police withdrew from escort duties they could not be safely put on a plane.
Warrants of commitment, under the Immigration Act, allow someone waiting to be deported to be held in custody then removed from prison to be escorted from the country.
Lawyer Doug Ewen sought that the warrants of commitment for both men be altered, bringing forward their date of release so they could live at addresses in the community. One of the men has a pregnant partner.
Judge Hastings said that due to
Claudius’ history of fraud and non-compliance, he was issuing a warrant of commitment to hold him for 28 days.
INZ said each case was being looked at as to whether flights were available and what border closures were in place.
Both men are due back in court to have their warrants of commitment reconsidered in May.
Justice Hastings said because of his criminal offending, Soba also required an escort to leave the country. He ordered him to be held for 28 days.
Difficulties with travel meant officers who went to an overseas country to return a deportee would then have to spend 14 days in self-isolation on returning.