This statement provides an update on Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) activities related to the reception and processing of unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs)*.
The reporting period is from 01 May 2023 to 31 May 2023.
During this reporting period:
- Australian authorities worked with the Government of Sri Lanka to safely return 41 people from one vessel who were detected and intercepted attempting to reach Australia on a maritime people smuggling venture, consistent with Australia’s protection obligations;
- No UMAs were transferred from Australia to a regional processing country, either as new arrivals or returning after a temporary purpose in Australia;
- Thirteen UMAs were transferred from a regional processing country to Australia for a temporary purpose or as accompanying family;
- No UMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country;
- No UMAs were voluntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia and no UMAs were involuntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia;
- Twenty-five UMAs were resettled in a third country (fewer than 25 from the cohort temporarily in Australia and fewer than five direct from Nauru).
UMAs under regional processing arrangements in Nauru are not in detention; all persons reside in community accommodation, with no restrictions on their movement. The processing of UMA protection claims is a matter for the Government of Nauru.
*These statistics reference UMAs who arrived on or after 19 July 2013.
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