Overstayers

All last week a debate raged in many quarters over the stranded 250 Sri Lankan boat people, variously described as asylum seekers, illegal refugees, queue jumpers, economic refugees, emotional blackmailers, freedom fighters, etc.

One of the arguments used by those countering claims that the Rudd Government’s softened border policies have resulted in record numbers of boat people arriving was that, ‘anyway, more illegal immigrants arrive here by jumbo jet than those on boats’.

This is a reference to the overstayers who generally arrive on tourist visas and ‘forget’ to go home. Last week I carried one such forgetful, illegal, queue-jumping overstayer.

He boarded at Central station for the International Airport in order to catch a late night flight to Japan. All he carried was a grip and explained how he was going home for a family funeral, thence returning in three weeks. If he’s lucky, that is.

I quickly sized him up – young, Japanese, dyed hair, beachwear – and asked, “Are you a surfer?” “Yes,” he replied with a laugh. “Me like, very much.” “How long have you been in Australia?” “Three years, very beautiful.” “What about your visa?” I asked. Here he gave a long ‘mmmm...’ and laughed, “Maybe, no more.”

He presented as a pretty cool kid, actually, and was supporting himself by working at various jobs. The Sydney beachside hostel where he lived employed him for a few hours per week to cover food and board.

Otherwise he worked as a labourer for a local landscaper or a plumber and was paid in cash. This not only enabled him to survive but also to surf before and after work. 

Whilst he was casually relating this, like it was no big deal, I wondered how he had gotten away with it for three years. Clearly the locals liked the bloke and were happy to turn a blind eye, especially those employing him, probably due to the fact he was respectful, hard working and likeable.

Yet, regardless, overstayers are illegal immigrants and the kid should be chucked out.

Then I recalled old acquaintances in the same beachside community, a Japanese/Aussie couple with a son a few years younger than my passenger and also a mad surfer. Sure enough, he knew this boy from around the beach and so we made a real connection discussing this mutual relationship.

Arriving at the Airport I asked him, “So how are you going to get back into Australia?” With a conspiratorial smile he said, “I went to New Zealand once and came back in. Because I have enough money from working it’s okay.” He thanked me for the ride, tipped two dollars and hopped out.

Nup, I decided he’s a good kid. I ain't going to report him to Immigration.

Comments

[Aleksey]

What do you think the other australians think about this?
I suppose 80% would vote for no migration at all if had been asked about that ( with some exceptions for migration from UK and the like )

[Johann]

Arent almost all 'Australians' illegal immigrants? I guess it depends on who the original land owners were !

[Josh]

You describe him as hard working, respectful and likable. Shame he doesn't respect the law.

[Andy]

Unfortunately, for every 'nice guy' illegal immigrant working here, there is one less 'nice guy' legal resident without a job.

If the landscaper/plumber werent paying him, theyd be paying a legit guy to do the job (whether by cash or through paycheck)which would be one less guy on the dole. (Sure there are always those who will take the dole and the cash, but Im speaking in general here)

[Andy]

**is one less 'nice guy' legal resident without a job

I meant one more

[bar]

People who contribute labour to Australia aren't taking jobs from the unemployed because their being here makes more demand for goods and increases the total economy.

I would let anyone who hasn't a criminal record & who wants to come in have a working visa. Working visitors pay taxes and aren't a drain on the economy (like unemployed citizens).

[Walter]

The arguements on illegal immigration sound very similar to those here in the US. I have no good solution as the US needs some control of its borders but physical removal of 20,000,000 illegals is impractical either.