A police officer helps a deportees fill out forms. — Photo cand.vn

HCM CITY — Police in HCM City said on Tuesday they had received 22 Vietnamese citizens deported from the US, most of whom had lived in the city before leaving Việt Nam.

The group had broken US laws and no longer qualified to remain in the country legally, police said. Many deportees struggle to rebuild their lives, often returning without identity papers or anywhere to live.

Officers reviewed each returnee’s circumstances to work out what support they need. Those with no fixed address and no one to vouch for them are placed in social welfare facilities in the city for temporary care, according to police.

Police appealed to the public and social media users to treat the returnees with understanding and help them get back on their feet.

They also urged Vietnamese heading overseas to respect the laws of their host countries, warning against migrating or working illegally, using forged documents or aiding people smugglers.

Offenders risk arrest, deportation and lengthy or even permanent entry bans, police said, adding that such conduct also tarnishes the image of Vietnamese communities abroad. — VNS