Chow Siu-shuen, 67, the grandmother of the 12-year-old boy abandoned by his parents on the mainland when he was still a baby, faces charges for helping him stay illegally in Hong Kong for nine years
The grandmother of a 12-year-old mainland Chinese boy who lived undocumented in Hong Kong for nine years today reported to the Immigration Department to face charges of helping him breach conditions of stay.
Chow Siu-shuen, 67, who was granted bail in May, reported to the department’s Kowloon Bay office at 8.30am, accompanied by Sze Lai-shan of the Society for Community Organisation and a lawyer.
A source said the department received advice from the Department of Justice and decided to charge Chow with helping to violate immigration laws. Chow was brought to the immigration prosecution office on Ma Tau Kok Road at about 9.30am.
Chow’s grandson Siu Yau-wai was abandoned by his parents on the mainland when he was still an infant. Chow took him to Hong Kong in 2006 on a two-way permit, which he then overstayed.
Yau-wai’s case was exposed in May in a controversial press conference organised by Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Chan Yuen-han.
He was deported to mainland China voluntarily a month later.
Sources said the boy is with family members and being well cared for. He has also received a Chinese identity card.
Under the immigration ordinance, anyone aiding someone to breach conditions of stay faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a HK$50,000 fine.
A spokesman for the department said the case was in the middle of legal proceedings, and would not comment further.