The Government has moved to toughen immigration laws, introducing a new bill that would expand deportation powers and target serious offending, migrant exploitation, and abuse of the refugee system.

The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament, with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford saying the changes were designed to strengthen the system while maintaining fairness.

“Immigration is important for New Zealand, and we are committed to ensuring we continue to attract the skilled people we need, while making it easier to address migrant exploitation, serious criminals, and immigration breaches,” Stanford said.

The bill includes a key change to extend the period in which migrants can be deported for criminal offending from 10 years to 20 years after gaining residency.

Stanford said “The new Bill introduces several changes to ensure we have the right, proportionate tools to manage immigration risks.”

“It focuses on striking the right balance between managing risk and maintaining strong safeguards for all people in New Zealand, ensuring our immigration system is fair, functional, and effective.

“Many of these proposed changes were announced last year after policy decisions were taken. This includes strengthening the ability to deport people who have committed serious crimes by extending the period of residence during which a person can be subject to liability for deportation from ten to twenty years.”

The changes were also aimed at strengthening the refugee system, including allowing Immigration New Zealand to take into account serious crimes committed in New Zealand before a refugee claim is decided.

“Currently, if a person who has claimed refugee status has been convicted of a serious crime in New Zealand before status determination, Immigration New Zealand is unable to take that into account when making a decision,” Stanford said.

“There are currently 14 refugee known claims from people who have been convicted of serious offences in New Zealand, including murder, serious sexual and drug offences, and arson. This change will mean that Immigration New Zealand can take convictions for crimes committed in New Zealand into account when making a decision on their refugee claim.”

The bill also proposes new powers to deal with asylum claims made in bad faith, including where individuals attempt to create grounds for refugee status after arriving in New Zealand.

Stanford said the changes were intended to protect the integrity of the system.

“New Zealanders want us to do our part to provide refuge to people who are genuinely fleeing conflict and persecution. However, the privilege of being offered a life in new Zealand needs to be balanced with consequences for people who abuse that privilege or non-genuine claims that seek to take advantage of the system. These proposals strike the right balance between these.”

Other measures in the bill include increasing penalties for migrant exploitation, expanding infringement powers against employers, and making it easier for immigration officers to gather identifying information where breaches are suspected.

The legislation also proposes limiting appeal rights in some deportation cases and strengthening information sharing between agencies.

A separate parliamentary paper outlines additional changes, including tighter rules around asylum claims, biometric requirements, and repeat applications.

The bill is expected to have its first reading in the coming weeks.