ID :
25848
Tue, 10/21/2008 - 19:18
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http://m.oananews.org//node/25848
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Almost 200 pilgrims apply for asylum
(AAP) Almost 200 pilgrims who travelled to Australia for World Youth Day in July have applied for asylum.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship officials said they had, by the end of
September, received 186 protection visa applications from people who came for the
Catholic event held in Sydney.
"About 11 of those applications have so far been refused, and two approved,"
department secretary Andrew Metcalfe told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.
"The others would be currently under consideration."
A further 31 pilgrims had overstayed their visas, officials said.
"Those folks could be anywhere in Australia," Mr Metcalfe said.
More than 100,000 people came from overseas for World Youth Day, which culminated in
Pope Benedict XVI hosting a papal mass for 400,000 people.
Mr Metcalfe said there had been relatively few asylum seekers and visa overstayers.
"A one per cent overstay rate against our visa programs is regarded as sort of
usual, and the fact that so far we have only had 31 people overstay and 186 apply
for protection visas actually show a very good result."
Department of Immigration and Citizenship officials said they had, by the end of
September, received 186 protection visa applications from people who came for the
Catholic event held in Sydney.
"About 11 of those applications have so far been refused, and two approved,"
department secretary Andrew Metcalfe told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.
"The others would be currently under consideration."
A further 31 pilgrims had overstayed their visas, officials said.
"Those folks could be anywhere in Australia," Mr Metcalfe said.
More than 100,000 people came from overseas for World Youth Day, which culminated in
Pope Benedict XVI hosting a papal mass for 400,000 people.
Mr Metcalfe said there had been relatively few asylum seekers and visa overstayers.
"A one per cent overstay rate against our visa programs is regarded as sort of
usual, and the fact that so far we have only had 31 people overstay and 186 apply
for protection visas actually show a very good result."