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Australian Border Force officers to conduct random visa checks on Melbourne streets

Xinhua, August 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Officers from the newly-formed Australian Border Force will take to the streets this weekend in an effort to stamp out visa fraud.

The federal government revealed on Friday that it would be deploying officers into various locations around Melbourne so that officers could speak with "any individual we cross paths with."

A statement released by Australian Border Force's Regional Commander for Victoria and Tasmania, Don Smith, said that on Friday and Saturday evening, officers would patrol the city's streets and public transport system in the hope of catching those who abuse their visa's conditions.

"You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa, if you commit visa fraud you should know it's only a matter of time before you're caught out," he said.

Federal Border Force agents will collaborate with the state's police and public transport authorities to catch those who look and act suspicious, he said.

"Tonight (Friday) and tomorrow evening Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, the Sheriff's Office, Taxi Services Commission and the Australian Border Force will join Victoria Police as part of the inter-agency operation," the statement said.

But the operation has been ridiculed on Friday, with a protest planned for the city in opposition to the spot checks.

Social media was awash with confused citizens wondering how people will be selected for the check, with many asking if they will have to carry their passport to avoid confrontation with Australian Border Force officials.

Others have labeled the operation an excuse for officers to conduct racial profiling in the streets. Endi