Let's discuss Australia's long history of mass deportation events, from 1901 to the current day. In this context, we will define a 'mass deportation' as a deportation event affecting over 500 people. 🧵

Repatriation of South Sea Islanders (1901–1908) From 1863 onward, around 60,000 South Sea Islanders, primarily from Melanesia, were forcibly brought to Australia as indentured laborers to work in Queensland’s sugar cane fields. This practice, known as "blackbirding," involved

Deportation of Chinese Immigrants (1901–1910) Chinese immigration began in the 1850s, when tens of thousands arrived in Australia during the Gold Rush. Chinese immigrants often worked in mines or established small businesses, but they faced high levels of discrimination,

Japanese Internment and Deportation (1941–1947) Japanese immigration to Australia began in the late 19th century, with Japanese communities establishing themselves in fishing and agricultural sectors. However, during WWII, fears of espionage and enemy sabotage led to the

Post-War Deportation of Italian and German Nationals (1945–1950) Australia’s German and Italian communities faced increased suspicion during WWII. Many were long-term residents or even naturalised citizens, yet were seen as potential “enemy aliens” based on their heritage.

Post-War Deportations of Baltic and Eastern Europeans (1947–1951) During the early Cold War, fear of communism was widespread, leading Australia to view Eastern European refugees, particularly from Baltic states and Eastern Bloc countries, with suspicion. The government

Deportation of Vietnamese Asylum Seekers (1976–1986) After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese boat people sought refuge in Australia, many arriving by unapproved maritime routes. Initially, the government granted asylum, but as numbers grew, policy shifted to prioritise

Middle Eastern Nationals Deported on Security Grounds (2001–2007) After the 9/11 terror attacks, Australia adopted stringent measures to prevent potential terrorist threats. Amendments to the Migration Act allowed deportation based on national security risks, leading to

Manus Island and Nauru Asylum Seekers (2012–2019) To deter asylum seekers from arriving by boat, Australia established offshore detention centers on Manus Island and Nauru, sending thousands of asylum seekers there instead of allowing them entry. Under the “Pacific Solution,”

Deportation of New Zealand Nationals (2014–Present) Many New Zealanders, even those with long-term residence in Australia, faced deportation due to minor criminal records under Section 501 of the Migration Act. Amendments to the Act facilitated deportation based on character,

COVID-19 Skilled Workers (2020–2022) The COVID-19 pandemic led to job losses for skilled visa holders, many of whom were ineligible to renew visas due to changing employment conditions. Australia’s strict visa policies led to deportation or forced exit for those unable to meet

Deportation of Indian Students for Visa Fraud (2021) Investigations into student visa applications uncovered instances of fraud, leading to the deportations of international students primarily from India. Approximately 500 Indian students were deported. Indians form a growing

Here is a visual representation of the numbers of people deported and the deportation events from 1901 onwards.

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