COVID-19 IMPACTS ON IMMIGRATION DETENTION: GLOBAL RESPONSES
the Immigration Department stated that it has arranged to temporarily
relax the reporting frequency of recognizance form holders to not more
than once every eight weeks since 13 February 202031. However, reports
from affected individuals suggest this measure was not communicated
clearly to them, and many are left confused about their reporting
requirements32.
Immigration detention aside, refugees, asylum seekers and forced
migrants have been largely excluded from the Government’s social
security response. Crucially, these communities face significant barriers
in accessing healthcare. Refugees and asylum seekers are not eligible
to access public health facilities at a subsidised price. While they may
apply for medical fee waivers, most are unaware of this mechanism as
there is a lack of information about its availability. People with insecure
immigration status, such as asylum seekers who are unable to register
their USM claims or victims of trafficking who may have entered Hong
Kong illegally, are further disincentivised from seeking medical care
for fear of legal ramifications and costs. Adding to these concerns
are language and cultural differences, as well as poor health literacy.
Overall, there is no clear information on how refugees, asylum seekers
and irregular migrants can safely access medical services if they
develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Law and policy in relation to refugees, asylum seekers and other
vulnerable migrants in Hong Kong continues to have significant gaps.
Systemic shortfalls in relation to the rights and welfare of vulnerable
migrants in ordinary times have been exacerbated under the
extraordinary circumstances of a global pandemic.
SURABHI CHOPRA
Faculty of Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong
RACHEL LI
Justice Centre Hong Kong
31 Letter from the Security Bureau to the Refugee Concern Network, 22 May 2020.
32 Based upon feedback from non-refoulement claimants received by Justice Centre Hong Kong staff.
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