Australia passes laws to handle migrant convicts who can’t be held indefinitely or deported

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Migrants with criminal records face up to five years in prison for breaching their visa conditions under emergency legislation passed by the Australian Parliament. The legislation followed a High Court ruling that the foreigners can’t be detained indefinitely. The government said it has released 84 foreigners by Thursday since the court ruled last week that indefinite detention of migrants is unconstitutional. Most of those freed have been convicted of crimes that include murder and rape. The decision reversed a 2004 precedent that stateless people could be detained for any length of time when there were no prospects of deporting them. The legislation was rushed through the House of Representatives, and the government accepted some opposition amendments to ensure its support in the Senate.