Asylum seekers make 19th trip to Nauru A group of 30 asylum seekers have been transferred from Christmas Island to Nauru to be processed. SUDANESE and Lebanese asylum seekers have been transferred to Nauru for processing for the first time, the Australian government says. They were part of a group of 30 men who were escorted from Christmas Island to the regional processing centre by chartered aircraft late Friday. The group, which was also made up of Vietnamese and Palestinian nationals, arrived on the South Pacific island at 8.45am (AEST) on Saturday. The journey marks the 19th transfer of asylum seekers to Nauru. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship says the transfer highlights the government's efforts to deter people smugglers bringing asylum seekers to Australia on dangerous boats. "There will be no advantage for boat arrivals," a spokesman said in a statement. Transfers will continue to both Nauru and Manus Island, off Papua New Guinea's mainland.