Operation Sovereign Borders Monthly Update 29 December

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 November 2023 to 30 November 2023.

During this reporting period:​

  • Australian authorities intercepted 12 UMAs from one maritime people smuggling venture.
  • The 12 UMAs were safely transferred to a regional processing country consistent with Australia’s long-standing maritime people smuggling policies.
  • 0 UMAs were transferred from Australia to a regional processing country, returning after a temporary purpose in Australia;
  • 0 UMAs were transferred from a regional processing country to Australia for a temporary purpose or as accompanying family;
  • 8 UMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country;
  • 0 UMAs were voluntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia and 0 UMAs were involuntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia;
  • 22 UMAs were resettled in a third country (22 from the cohort temporarily in Australia and 0 direct from Nauru).

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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