Australia has started deporting illegal migrants from its territory to the island nation of Nauru following a bilateral agreement.
Up to 354 people residing unlawfully in Australia, many of whom have been convicted of crimes, are expected to be sent to the tiny Pacific island located northeast of Australia.
“Nauru confirmed last Friday that the first transfer had taken place,” said Tony Burke, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister. This initial wave of deportations is part of a €1.4 billion agreement under which Canberra will pay Nauru over the next 30 years to host these illegal migrants.
Until now, the migrants had been held in Australian detention centres while their cases were being processed, or because they could not be returned to their home countries due to war or religious persecution.
Canberra has turned to Nauru, which will offer these migrants long-term visas and the opportunity to integrate into the local population.
