New Zealand border control officers take on new search, detention powers

 New Zealand border control officers take on new search, detention¹ powers WELLINGTON, Sept.3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand immigration officers took on a range of new search and detention powers Monday, in a move the government said would protect the integrity of the country's border.

"Compliance² officers now have increased powers to search at the border, and the ability to detain people liable for deportation⁴ for a limited period of time," Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said in a statement.

"They also have the power to obtain biometric information like fingerprints⁵, and greater access to the records of education providers," he said.

"These changes will allow immigration officers to effectively enforce the Immigration Act and reduce their reliance on other agencies like the police. It gives them similar powers to agencies like New Zealand Customs and Fisheries officers."

The new powers, including methods of safe detention, and risk and conflict management taught by the New Zealand Police, would allow them to act quickly on information they received to deport³ people who were in the country illegally.

Last year the compliance operations team assisted with 1,410 voluntary departures, served 1,332 deportation liability notices and affected⁶ 742 deportations.

However, the Public Service Association (PSA) union said it believed the two weeks training given to 40 immigration officers was inadequate⁷ and would lead to safety problems.

The responsibility of search and detention previously⁸ belonged to the police who were given years on on-going training and support, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said in a statement.

"Officers who have undergone the training believe that it's inadequate and are actually stressed at the thought of having to use the new powers," said Wagstaff.

1 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

2 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

3 deport   

vt.驱逐出境

参考例句：

• We deport aliens who slip across our borders.我们把偷渡入境的外国人驱逐出境。
• More than 240 England football fans are being deported from Italy following riots last night.昨晚的骚乱发生后有240多名英格兰球迷被驱逐出意大利。

4 deportation   

n.驱逐，放逐

参考例句：

• The government issued a deportation order against the four men.政府发出了对那4名男子的驱逐令。
• Years ago convicted criminals in England could face deportation to Australia.很多年以前，英国已定罪的犯人可能被驱逐到澳大利亚。

5 fingerprints   

n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。
• They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套，以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 inadequate   

adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的

参考例句：

• The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
• She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。

8 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。