Limbo Island

Australia is set to deport three violent criminals to Nauru even though they are not citizens of the Pacific Island nation after an Australian court ruled that immigrants who commit crimes cannot be detained indefinitely in the country, the Associated Press reported.

Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that three “violent offenders” – including a convicted murderer – received 30-year Nauru visas. The three immigrants plan to appeal their deportation.

Until recently, immigrants who committed a crime in Australia and had served their sentences could not be released into the community after prison because they couldn’t pass the country’s immigration character test due to their criminal record.

At the same time, it was not possible to deport certain immigrants either because their country was considered unsafe – like Afghanistan – or because their home countries don’t accept people deported against their will – like Iran.

As a result, these individuals were held in detention centers in the country indefinitely.

However, a 2023 decision by the Australian High Court said detaining immigrants who commit crimes but cannot be deported indefinitely is illegal.

Following that decision, more than 200 immigrants were released, with some committing new crimes, prompting criticism of the government for endangering Australians.

As a result, Australia has been working with Nauru and other Pacific islands for years to accept migrants smuggled into Australia but denied asylum or residency, housing them in detention camps.

Australian officials said more than 200 immigrants with criminal records who can’t be deported would remain in Australia and would possibly be moved to Nauru or elsewhere later.