What could be a reactive move - as Immigration Minister Erica Stanford sends a clear message to immigrants, to obey the law.

Criminals with New Zealand residency could now face deportation if they've been here for less than 20 years.

That's double the current limit of under 10 years. 

Immigration lawyer Simon Laurent told Andrew Dickens this is a response to an overall mood that's surfacing, particularly in the UK and Australia.

He says it's an approach that's been sweeping through other democracies, for the past few years.

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