Hundreds of abode-seekers applied to stay in the SAR under the new immigration talents scheme yesterday, only to be told their attempt would be in vain. They listed strengths under which they could be considered useful to Hong Kong under the newly announced scheme to bring in talent, migrants spokesman Father Franco Mella said last night. But they were warned last night that their applications would fail. The Immigration Department said the abode seekers had not followed proper procedures in making applications. Factory clerk Carol Wu, 26, would apply for the scheme because she believed she was good for Hong Kong. 'I feel I have a lot of virtues to contribute. My parents left me here alone when I was seven. I have survived alone by being hard-working. Li Sau-ling, 60, mother of two migrant children who were last night detained in Victoria Prison for overstaying, said she would try to keep her son Li Wing-kin, 27, and daughter Li Lai-chu, 39, in the SAR. They were two of 38 overstayers being detained by the Immigration Department. Under the admission of talents scheme, applicants should obtain sponsorship from a Hong Kong employer and should have a doctoral degree in a relevant field from a reputable mainland organisation. Applications can only be made from the home country, which means migrants would have to return to the mainland to apply.
