Immigration

1. What is an asylum seeker?


An asylum seeker is a person who has fled their own country and applies to the government of another country for protection as a refugee. 


2. What reasons would they leave their country and come to Australia?

According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (the Refugee Convention), a refugee is a person who is outside their own country and is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their:

• race
• religion
• nationality
• membership of a particular social group
• political opinion.

3. What reasons will allow them to be approved for asylum?

If there life or freedom has been threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. If any of these points are present then they are not allowed to be expelled or returned to where they came from.

4. From what countries are most asylum seekers coming to Australia?

Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia.  

5. What is the deal between Australia and Malaysia? (What are the numbers of people being 'swapped'?)

Australia will send over 800 boat people to Kuala Lumpur and in return will receive 4000 refugees from Malaysia and settle them down in the next 4 years. 

6. What rights will they have in Malaysia which will allow them to support themselves?

They will be allowed to work and education and medical supervision will be provided.

7. How does Malaysia normally treat illegal immigrants?

They normally assault them in large groups which is done by the local police.

8. Are children being sent to Malaysia?

Yes.

9. What is going to happen to the processing of the 500+ people currently in Australia who have arrived from the 7th of May?

The government is changing there decision and is going to process them and not make them leave.

10. What do refugee advocates worry about for the 800 asylum seekers?

They are worried that they will be assaulted by the local police. They also fear that Australia will not be able to protect them once they have left their shores.

11. What is the goal of this 'swap' program?

It is to stop boat people from coming to Australia because some of them are being exploited and many of them suffer the risk of death on the way as it is a very dangerous stretch,

12. Do you think that it will work? Why/why not?

It depends on whether or not the first deal works and seeing how it flows. If it is successful and I am sure that it will continue.