A brief overview on what happened to my friend:
He is working entirely legally at a buxiban. He did a friend a favor and substituted a class a couple of months ago. The police came. They acted extremely friendly and simply asked him to sign a few documents in Chinese. They said everything would be ok. The police and owner of the school also asked him to please write a statement in English saying he was substituting classes. He, quite innocently, did as he was told.

Everyone said it was ok and nothing would happen. Two months later, he receives a letter saying he needs to leave the country in 14 days.
This entirely unacceptable and wrong on every level possible: morally, rationally and practically.

Anyway, if anyone has information on other who have gone through a similar situation, please let us know.

Overall, this is really an issue which affects EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US. The fact is that 90% of foreigners work side jobs illegally in Taiwan. Any of us could be deported for any variety of reasons. If the government feels they need to crack down on illegal workers: fine. But, do so in the right way, not just randomly lashing out at any white face they see in the school. I love Taiwan and this is just wrong. This country can do better- and usually does.

Was he subbing a kindy class?

Taipei?

City or County?

Why do people sign bits of paper stating that they're breaking the law and then wonder why they're getting deported?

The situation is such that they're "coerced" into signing it (e.g. you can't leave until you sign this paper). There's no "due process" as we know it in the West in these kinds of proceedings.

The other factor is that (surprisingly), lots of people do not know what it means to be illegally working. In other words, they don't realize that just because you have an ARC in one school, does not mean you can work legally in another school, even for a day. Apparently this concept is hard for some people to understand or they're too "used to" the way things used to be and erroneously thought that was the law.

Combination of ignorance and heightened enforcement is catching quite a few people unaware. This has been a busy month for the FAP (and us) .

The fact of the matter is, according to the letter of the law, the vast majority of foreigners are working illegally here in Taiwan.
The teachers who are being deported now don't have fake degrees and aren't working on visitor's visa. These are people with legal ARC's who are working at a school now listed on their ARC.

Think this doesn't apply to you? You should think again.

Let's say Hess hires you and applies for your ARC through branch A. Let's then say you also work at Branch B. You are working illegally. You can only work at the branch listed on your ARC. PEOPLE ARE BEING DEPORTED FOR JUST THIS REASON.

A great answer for all of this would be an informational session held by the CLA. Better yet, hold the buxiban's accountable, not the foreign teahers.
Either way, the current crackdown is wrong from every single perspective. The repercussions for all teachers and buxiban's throughout Taiwan is huge. This can only effect Taiwanese students in a negative way, which is a real shame.

I agree. But I'd prefer that the rules were always enforced or that they were changed. If this is just a short term enforcement that won't continue it would be worse than if this was always happening and buxibans had to start playing things by the book (even if the book is stupid).

this happens every 18 months or so. last time, the buxiban I was at was busy moving all the teachers around, as one of them was caught working at a branch not listed on the ARC.

it seems to get enforced for about a month, and then nothing for another 18 months or so.

Don't sign anything the police give you. They will lie through their teeth to get you to sign your 'confession'. Just don't do it. They can't stop you from leaving either (even if they claim they can).

What is your take on this ML Mclain? Can someon refuse to sign the papers the police are giving them? What happens in this case? Should someone insist on calling a lawyer? Maybe you can tell us what you think is the best way to handle such a situation if it happens.

As a response to others: This is not the same as past crackdowns. In the past, they never deported people with legitimate ARC's working at another buxiban. Certainly, they never deported people in the large numbers they are now.

I agree with others who say consistency is what is needed here. There is too much confusion and teachers are nervous everywhere.

Can a teacher refuse, sure they can refuse. What the police will do, that's another story. Police procedures (and quality) vary. Should people have numbers of lawyers with them or our number in case they need to get that quick translation and assistance?

We've considered it and discussed it. It's feasible for these kinds of situations. No practical experience to date.

Our number is 02-6620-5062. People can call us to find more information about how this might work. Or they can email us at immigration@ml-mclean.com.