Thread: Australians at Odds Over Rules for Refugees

By MERAIAH FOLEY
Published: June 9, 2009

SYDNEY — The Australian government, under criticism from the United Nations and others because of its harsh immigration laws, has been quietly rolling back a number of measures that kept refugees locked in prison-like detention centers, sometimes for years.

But the number of asylum seekers crossing the treacherous straits from Indonesia to Australia has surged in recent months, setting off an emotional debate about whether the relaxation of Australia’s asylum program has emboldened a new wave of illegal immigrants.

Thirteen boats carrying about 580 people have been intercepted in Australian waters since January, compared with seven boats carrying 161 people last year. Although the numbers are minute compared with the tens of thousands of refugees who converge on Europe every year, each new boatload prompts a flurry of political finger-pointing here, where immigration has long been a contentious issue.

“The number of people who come to Australia is a tiny fraction of those on the move,â€

They need to send these people out of their country as soon as they can. Deport them all

Only 21 million citizens...Imagine if they had our illegals, they would out number the citizens that is very dangerous.....they could lose their country sooooo fast!

I wish someone would tell the U.N. to take a hike, stuff it, and shut their traps!

Mexico has 150 million people and 50 million are illegals in America trying to get dual citizenship.