Policy

Young Immigrant to Australia Gets Cash for Illegal Detention

Looks like the U.S. isn't the only country to screw with new arrivals

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JUDY TUIFANGALOKA was only nine when she was wrongly detained at Villawood for nine months. Now it has been recommended she be given $250,000 in compensation.

During her detention in 2004, she saw other detainees hurt themselves. Rats ran amok in the complex.

The girl was detained with her Tongan mother after immigration officers unlawfully cancelled their visas. Earlier that year, Miss Tuifangaloka's father, Siaosi Taufa, had been removed from Australia despite holding a valid visa.