No legal right to live or work: Refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong face an uphill battle

Behind Ms. Naveed’s desk is a rack full of colorful bags, each unique and intricately handwoven by the women in the program.

“Every time we sell the products that they make, they get a little bit of reimbursement from all these classes, and they can go home and buy something for themselves,” she said.

“You can imagine how expensive Hong Kong is. When we give them money for their hard work, they feel like they’ve earned something.”

Mr Girimana, a trained lawyer in Burundi, has now taken on the role of Community Partnership Officer at the Justice Center Hong Kong.

He gathers a team of volunteers, who are also refugees, to lead a weekly food distribution drive at the Kowloon Union Church.

“A good deed is never wasted, so being here and not being able to help my family really motivated me by that principle. So let me give my strength and my time to those in need,” he said.

“I know that one day there will be someone who will help my family too, so that motivates me.”

SCHOOLS OF REFUGEE CHILDREN

Those who flee to Hong Kong with their children face another problem: the children are not allowed to go to school because they have no legal right to stay in the city.

Once they reach the compulsory school age of six, the immigration authorities can assess their school applications on a case-by-case basis.

From 2021 to the end of January this year, a majority – 573 – of approximately 660 placement requests were approved.

One of those young asylum seekers, Adrian (not his real name), fled South Asia with his family at the age of six.

Despite his illegal status, he was able to go to school with permission from the immigration authorities. His family’s claims of non-refoulement have yet to be substantiated after sixteen years.

Adrian eventually managed to get the funding and qualifications to enroll at university, where he is studying health sciences.

However, unlike his peers, he cannot undertake an internship, which is increasingly a criterion for graduation from most tertiary programs.

Adrian told CNA that without internships under his belt, he can’t offer prospective employers proof of any achievements in his field — if he can even find an employer willing to hire him.

On the plus side, some colleges have shown flexibility and allowed refugee students to take on more research papers and work with their professors.

One such institution that has made adjustments is Hong Kong Baptist University, which has admitted two refugee students in the past five years. Academic Registrar Sally Ching told CNA that teachers may consider asking such students to work on projects under the supervision of teachers.