HK police hunt abode-seekers

Hong Kong has vowed to repatriate anyone found

Hong Kong police have begun operations to find and deport to China more than 4,000 children of Hong Kong residents who the courts say are illegal migrants.

The first person to be detained in such an operation was arrested on Thursday.

The news prompted angry demonstrations by around 200 mainland Chinese, who gathered outside immigration offices and clashed with police.

The police are looking for migrants from the mainland who have been seeking to stay in the territory with their parents, who have residency rights.

It appears that Hong Kong authorities are adopting new and tougher tactics to deport the children.

So far only around 20 have responded to demands that they turn themselves in to immigration authorities voluntarily.

Repatriation vow

Campaigners for the right of abode-seekers said one 36-year-old man, Lam Kin-man, was seized in his home as he was sitting drinking a cup of tea.

Only around 20 migrants have so far voluntarily handed themselves in

Hong Kong police said he was found on the street outside during a stop and search operation.

Many of the migrants are now adults who have spent years fighting to be reunited with families in the territory, others are as young as six years old.

Mr Lam's mother said her son will face a very hard life back in China.

Hong Kong has vowed to repatriate all the migrants and said it will step up efforts to do so.

In only one case are the authorities known to have allowed a person to stay on compassionate grounds.

The case was that of a woman who was on the verge of being deported even though her mother had just been murdered.

She has been allowed to stay for the funeral but has been told she must leave Hong Kong as soon as it is over.