Penalty for illegal teen immigrants lessened   

中國新出入境法減輕對外籍未成年人非法居留處罰

He Yan, from the exit and entry administration of Lishui, Yunnan province, elaborates on the current situation of foreign teenagers in Lishui. [Photo: CNS/Wu Jiawei]

Lishui (ECNS) -- A new law on the exit and entry of citizens in China will lessen penalties for illegal immigrants who are under 16 years old.

According to the law to be implemented on July 1, a warning will first be issued to foreigners who illegally reside in China. In serious cases, a fine of 500 yuan per day, with a total sum reaching no more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,612), or detention ranging from 5 to 15 days may be imposed.

Guardians of illegal teenage immigrants may also receive a warning and a fine of 1,000 yuan, the law says.

Lu Mingfei, from the exit and entry administration of Lishui, Yunnan province, said the new law is intended to humanize the administrative system and provide better services for foreigners. It is reasonable to shift the responsibility for teenagers to their guardians, he added.

Nearly 2,000 foreign teenagers reside in Lishui, most of whom live with their grandparents, according to Lu.

Lu said many grandparents don't realize the importance of updating teenagers' paperwork and miss the deadlines.

He also said that the bureau had provided reminders to foreign teenagers.