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A memorandum of understanding was signed during the meeting, containing “undertakings for the proper treatment and long-term residence of people who have no legal right to stay in Australia, to be received in Nauru,” according to a statement on the Home Affairs website.
Members of NZYQ cohort included in agreement
That decision led to the immediate release of around 150 immigration detainees, with another 130 released since. Some of the group had serious criminal convictions, while others were in immigration detention for visa issues.

Tony Burke said “anyone who doesn’t have a valid visa should leave the country” in comments released alongside the statement. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Members of the group could not be deported to their home countries as they faced persecution or harm, and no other country would accept them.
“This is a fundamental element of a functioning visa system.”
Government pushing to waive procedural fairness for non-citizens
“These provisions are primarily directed to non-citizens who have exhausted all legitimate avenues to remain in Australia and for whom removal is the only remaining outcome under Australian law,” Burke added.
Earlier this month, the United Nations urged Australia to halt the deportation of one of the trio so it could investigate the human rights implications of his case.
Greens senator, refugee advocates condemn policy
Shoebridge said Adeang had signalled he wanted to send people forcibly removed from Australia to their countries of origin.

The High Court of Australia ruled that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful in 2023. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
“This includes countries like Iran and Afghanistan, where anyone returned may well face a death sentence,” he said.
“These secret deals send one clear message — in Australia, some people will be punished simply because of where they were born,” said Jana Favero, deputy chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.