OFFICIALS say white collar illegal immigrants are as likely to be targets of a new immigration crackdown as unskilled workers.
Governor Chris Patten announced yesterday the doubling of the Immigration Department's illegal immigrant taskforce after concerns about rising unemployment.
He said the Government would seek greater penalities for illegals and workers breaching visa conditions.
The department said the taskforce would be as vigilant in detecting illegal Western workers as mainland illegals.
'We don't target particular nationalities or race,' a spokesman said.
'Any person who breaches the Immigration Ordinance will be a target. We won't discriminate against any group of persons.' Visitors or workers who overstay their visas, and those who assist them, face maximum penalties of a $5,000 fine and two years in prison, as well as subsequent deportation, under the Immigration Ordinance.