One-off deal to send refugees to US

The federal government has struck a one-off deal to send refugees from Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island to the United States.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT'S US REFUGEE DEAL WORK?

* Refugees who are now on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island will get the chance to resettle in the United States

* One-time only offer

* Includes about 370 refugees sent from offshore processing to Australia for medical treatment

* Priority will be given to women, children and families

* Does not extend to people found not to be refugees

* Not available to any asylum seekers sent to Nauru or Manus Island in the future

* US Homeland Security officials arriving in Australia within days to begin vetting refugees to decide which will be accepted

* Arrangement supported by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

* People found not to be refugees or who turn down the deal can either return to home country or get a 20-year visa on Nauru - details yet to be finalised

* More navy and border protection boats in place and increased surveillance north of Australia in anticipation of people smugglers using this announcement to send more boats

* Nauru immigration processing centre will stay open indefinitely

* Government will not say whether it's confident incoming US president Donald Trump - who has said he wants to ban Muslim immigration - will honour the deal


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Source: AAP



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