The rise of crimmigration in Australia: Importing laws and exporting lives

Abstract

This chapter traces the rise of an aspect of crimmigration the entwining of criminal and migration laws in Australia: the removal of non-citizens on 'character' grounds. Changes to laws and policies in 2014-2015 have increased powers for the identification and removal of non-citizens who engage in, or are suspected of engaging in, criminal conduct. The Australian Government has argued that the new laws are necessary to remove individuals who are deemed a 'risk' to public safety. This chapter questions this risk management approach. Drawing upon the experience of the United States, and through a case study of the effect of the new regime on New Zealand permanent residents, I argue that this approach is akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Show more