Thousands of migrants from mainland China have defied a Hong Kong government order to leave the affluent former British colony. 

They had been given until the end of March to comply with a January court ruling and go back home, but officials said as many as 4,000 were still in Hong Kong when the midnight local time deadline passed Sunday. They now face deportation. 

Some of the migrants who ignored the ruling staged a night-time street protest against the order. 

Many of the migrants are facing separation from family members who left them behind to find work in Hong Kong and who eventually became legal residents. 

Up to 7,000 mainland Chinese lost the legal battle in January for the right to live in the territory.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version