A series of protests erupted over the long weekend in response to the Hong Kong govenment granting a temporary identity card to a young illegal immigrant last week.
Xiao Youhuai (or Siu Yau-wai), 12, was turned in to the Immigration Department by his grandmother last Thursday with assistance from lawmaker Chan Yuen-han.
The child has been living undocumented in Hong Kong for the last nine years. His grandmother, a permanent resident, kept his presence a secret from the authorities.
She said she finally informed the government out of fear that the child would have no one to care for him after her death.
He was granted the temporary right to stay by the authorities and his bid for residency is currently being examined. His grandmother was arrested and granted bail.
Activist groups such as Civic Passion and Hong Kong Localism Power held a rally on Saturday outside of Chan’s office in Wong Tai Sin, reports Ming Pao. Chan was not at the office during that time.
A spokesman from Hong Kong Localism Power said the minor should be deported.
“[His parents] are not from Hong Kong; he was not born here and he came via illegal means. If he receives a temporary ID, then Hong Kong would be in serious trouble since there are plenty of similar cases”, he said.
The crowd continued their protest outside Confucian Tai Shing Primary School – the school that has expressed interest in taking in Xiao.
Activists posted banners that that said “breaking the law” and “condoning illegal immigration” on the school’s front door.
One schoolgirl attracted widespread attention after making a statement in defence of the boy, reports Apple Daily.
“Our school only wants to share knowledge…why [are the activists] posting these banners?” she implored.
“Who cares if you have broken the law?” she added.
Another rally took place on Monday as around 200 participants marched towards the Immigration Tower from Causeway Bay. Organisers believe the Hong Kong government should uphold the rule of law and grant no discretion to Xiao.
In another protest, a small group of activists visited the Kwun Tong housing estate where he lives, claiming the development is “harbouring an illegal immigrant”.
Chan said in a Commercial Radio interview it is appropriate for her to help Xiao as her assistance could put pressure on the immigration department.
“Be rational, and think more about democracy, equality, and love,” Chan said, according to Ming Pao. “Why not go easy on him?”
She urged the public to accept Xiao and his grandmother on “humanitarian” grounds in another interview with RTHK.
The Immigration Department said that Xiao’s case is a breach of Hong Kong law in which a child was denied a proper education. It should not be condoned, it said.
The department also stressed that the investigation of Xiao’s case will follow established procedures and will not be affected by any individual’s intervention.
Photo: Cable TV screengrab
