First HK abode-seeker forced home

Thousands, including children, face deportation

A spokeswoman for Hong Kong's immigration department has confirmed that a Chinese man - reported to be the first forcibly repatriated abode seeker - has been returned to the mainland, but refused to confirm that he was tricked.

Wu Jia-tun, 33, arrived at the immigration department on Monday believing he would be allowed to stay on in Hong Kong on compassionate grounds, because his wife had recently given birth.

He was telling me on his mobile phone that they were pushing him into a van when the line went dead Sister of deported man
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But his sister told Reuters news agency that immigration officials forced Wu Jia-tun into a van and drove him to the Chinese border.

It is believed to be the first time immigration authorities have forcibly expelled someone since a 31 March deadline for abode seekers to go home willingly.

China says that about 20 abode seekers have surrendered themselves to the authorities to be repatriated since the deadline. They may now face punishment in China for overstaying their visas.

The immigration spokeswoman refused to comment on the circumstances of Mr Wu's deportation but stressed that the government would "take appropriate action" to return thousands of abode claimants who have refused to observe the deadline.

The BBC's Damian Grammaticas says Mr Wu told officials he did not want to leave his family behind in Hong Kong.

Mr Wu is one of some 4,300 people, many of whom have family members with residency rights in Hong Kong, who face forcible repatriation.

Suing the government

Some groups are continuing with legal efforts to frustrate the government's moves. Others are in hiding, while a few have held protests in Hong Kong demanding a change of policy.

This woman's 16-year-old daughter must leave

The abode-seekers are particularly bitter because they were initially granted the right to live with their parents three years ago.

But Hong Kong's authorities, with the help of the central government in Beijing, removed those rights, citing the need to limit immigration to the territory.

Their appeal against this decision, earlier this year, was turned down.

Most of the abode-seekers have a parent who has the right to stay in Hong Kong. They want the government to reconsider because families would be split apart.

Officials have said "routine" and "special" operations will be mounted to find and remove people who do not surrender to the authorities.

Authorities insist there can be no negotiations.

Among those told to leave are one of a pair of twin girls and a 70-year-old man who lives in Hong Kong caring for his 90-year-old father.