Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Refugee and protection status determinations - Claims for recognition as refugee or protected person

139: Minister to decide immigration status of protected person who may have committed certain crimes or been guilty of certain acts

You could also call this:

“Minister decides if protected people suspected of serious crimes can stay in NZ”

If you are a protected person, but a refugee and protection officer thinks you might have committed a serious crime or done something very bad, the Minister will decide what happens to you. The Minister will look at your case and decide if you can stay in New Zealand or not. This is part of the law that deals with people asking to be recognised as refugees or protected persons. The Minister makes this decision, not the normal immigration officials, because it’s a very serious matter.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440817.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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138: Decision on claim, or

“How the refugee and protection officer decides on your refugee or protected person claim”

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140: Limitation on subsequent claims, or

“Limits on making new refugee or protected person claims after a previous decision”

Part 5 Refugee and protection status determinations
Claims for recognition as refugee or protected person

139Minister to decide immigration status of protected person who may have committed certain crimes or been guilty of certain acts

  1. The Minister must make any decision about a protected person’s immigration status if a refugee and protection officer has determined under section 137(2) that there are serious reasons for considering that the person has committed a crime or been guilty of any act described in that section.