The Australian federal government’s proposal to reopen detention facilities for individuals who have overstayed their visas has drawn sharp criticism and comparisons to the immigration policies of former US President Donald Trump. The Greens and various advocacy groups argue that the strategy mirrors the sweeping immigration crackdowns implemented in the United States.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke addressed the controversy on Thursday, explicitly downplaying any resemblance between his government’s approach and Trump’s tactics. The minister emphasized that the plan is designed to reduce the population of unlawful non-citizens in Australia, currently estimated at approximately 77,000 people.
Under the new framework, the reopened detention centres will be managed by compliance officers rather than traditional detention staff. However, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticized the move, stating that the government was effectively adopting an Australian version of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Burke dismissed these allegations as “ridiculous,” maintaining that the policy is a necessary measure to enforce visa integrity.
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