Australia proposes law to allow prison time for high-risk migrants who breach visa conditions

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles speaking during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, on Nov 14, 2023. — AP

CANBERRA (AP): Migrants with criminal records in Australia will face up to five years in prison for breaching their visa conditions under emergency legislation introduced Thursday (Nov 16) in response to a High Court ruling that foreigners can’t be detained indefinitely.

The government said it has released 84 foreigners - most of whom have convictions for crimes including murder and rape - since the court ruled last week that indefinite detention of migrants is unconstitutional.