NZ First criticises migrant screening

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An increasing number of refugees are having their status cancelled, prompting concerns about Immigration New Zealand's screening methods.

Figures show that 23 refugees have had their status cancelled by the Refugee Status Branch in 2006 – an increase of 13 from the previous year.

Since 2002, 49 refugees have had their status cancelled.

Refugee status can be terminated only if it has been obtained by fraud or if a serious crime had been committed by the refugee before gaining status.

New Zealand First associate immigration spokesman Peter Brown said Immigration New Zealand had to improve its processes to ensure "bogus refugees are not being let into New Zealand in the first place".

"The fact that so many refugees have had their status revoked in the last few years indicates to me that our Immigration Service is unable to prevent fraudsters and those who have committed serious crimes from entering our country," he said.

"Only genuine refugees should be allowed into New Zealand, and it is essential that Immigration improves its screening processes to ensure all fraudulent and bogus refugee claimants are weeded out before being granted refugee status."

The figures relate to asylum claimants or those who have arrived at New Zealand's borders and claimed its protection for fear of returning to their home country. An asylum claimant is different to the quota of 750 refugees that New Zealand lets in each year.

Department of Labour acting refugee division director Pamela Anderson defended the screening process.

"Screening an asylum claim consists of a thorough interview process, reference to country-specific information and careful verification of the claimant's identity," she said.

Anderson said the process could take up to two months.

"A person's refugee status can then be cancelled when the department receives robust evidence the person obtained refugee status through fraud," she said.

Brown said it was cases like Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui that proved the system was largely inefficient.

- © Fairfax NZ News