LOST AND FOUND:Last year, 20,678 missing migrant workers were found, but another 21,708 went missing, the NIA said, adding that it will crack down on illegal activities
Taipei Times
Date: Apr 02, 2017
By: Chen Yu-fu / Staff reporter
More than 3,300 Chinese, Hong Kongers, Macanese and stateless people illegally
Migrant workers sit on the ground after being detained by police for having absconded from their place of work in Yilan County on Jan. 5. Photo copied by Chien Hui-ju, Taipei Times
overstayed their visas in Taiwan last year, which could pose a national security concern, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said.
According to the National Immigration Agency (NIA), 3,365 people — 2,002 Chinese as well as 1,363 Hong Kongers, Macanese or stateless people — overstayed their visa last year, while the number of missing migrant workers reached 53,000.
There are many Chinese who remain in Taiwan illegally or visiting the nation supposedly for business who are actually spying for China, DPP Legislator Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said, calling on national security agencies to investigate the issue.
The agency spends about NT$300 million (US$9.89 million) annually on counseling for immigrants, human trafficking prevention and residency management, but the number of people who overstay their tourist or resident visa has been increasing.
[FULL STORY]
