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'Complicated': Immigration lawyer on the Government's new reforms for criminal refugees

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Mar 2026, 6:33pm
Photo / 123RF
Photo / 123RF

'Complicated': Immigration lawyer on the Government's new reforms for criminal refugees

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Mar 2026, 6:33pm

Questions remain on processes for asylum seekers convicted of serious crimes in New Zealand. 

Proposed Government reforms will let immigration officials take crimes committed by a refugee-applicant into account. 

New Zealand is obligated under international conventions to keep them here.  

Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar says one option is giving asylum seekers a series of work visas - but that could limit their access to rehabilitation. 

"The criminal justice system we have in New Zealand will take care of that, that doesn't mean that we have to send them home to potentially be facing death."

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