A plea for the government to pardon a 12-year-old Chinese illegal immigrant and grant him residency has caused much controversy after videos emerged of him allegedly bullying children.
The child received a temporary identification card from the Immigration Department on Thursday, reports Ming Pao.
Xiao Youhuai (or Siu Yau-wai), 12, was brought into Hong Kong in 2006 by his grandmother after being abandoned by his mainland parents, who apparently think he’s a “bad omen”.
He has since illegally lived in Hong Kong for nine years with his grandmother, without receiving any formal schooling or official documents.
His grandmother, Chow Shiu-suen, 67, reported the case to the authorities out of fear that the child would have no one to care for him after her death.
She said her decision was influenced by the recent alleged suicide of a teenager born to an illegal Filipina immigrant and a British businessman.
Xiao was granted a temporary ID on Thursday with the assistance from pro-Beijing lawmaker Chan Yuen-han.
“[I’m] very happy, I don’t have to stay at home”, the child said.
“I mainly stay at home… I learn to write on weekdays and play on the weekends”, he added.
His grandmother was arrested for abetting a breach of condition of stay under the Immigration Ordinance and was granted bail.
Lawmaker Chan Yuen-han, who has been assisting the duo, described the case as “tragic”. She said the case is special, and urged the immigration department to exercise their “discretion”.
Chan said she hopes the temporary ID would give the child some “breathing space”.
An immigration department spokesman says they will attempt to locate Xiao’s parents while confirming the identities of those involved. Xiao would also receive arrangement for schooling if a swift deportation is impossible.
The spokesman stressed that hiding unregistered minors is illegal and that it denies them access to education.
The case has polarized the local community.
Roy Tam, the convenor of Population Policy Concern Group, worries that granting the child amnesty would lead to more similar cases in the future, reports Ming Pao.
He believes Xiao should be deported in accordance to the Immigration Ordinance.
The case attracted further attention when a video allegedly showing Xiao bullying a child last year went viral, according to Apple Daily. The video, which Xiao admitted to be authenic, depicts him punching and shouting profanities at a child outside Shun Lee Estate in Ngau Tau Kok.
Photo: Screenshot via Mingpao.com
Note: This article has been corrected. It originally said he entered Hong Kong illegally, which should be clarified that he entered by using another person’s identity and was never registered.
