Hundreds of unlawful non-citizens face jail if they refuse to cooperate in deportation from Australia
Labor brings forward urgent bill, which would also create power to impose a bar on new visa applications from non-citizens in designated countries
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Hundreds of immigration detainees and unlawful non-citizens are being threatened with a minimum of one year in prison if they refuse to cooperate with efforts to deport them, under an urgent Labor bill to be introduced on Tuesday.
The bill requires non-citizens to cooperate in efforts to ensure their prompt and lawful removal", creating criminal penalties that could apply to a class of asylum seekers that includes two plaintiffs before the high court challenging the legality of the detention of people who refuse to cooperate with deportation.
More than 110 involuntary individuals", whose home countries will not issue a travel document or facilitate removal.
More than 40 who could fall into scope who have not yet lodged protection visa applications.
More than 20 who have asked to be deported - which enlivens a statutory obligation for them to be removed - but their cases have not been referred to Australian Border Force.
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