20 migrants get second
chance as immigration officials admit error
WebPosted Wed Aug 18 19:09:26 1999
VANCOUVER - Twenty immigrants among a
group of 78 to be deported will now be remaining in Canada until
their refugee claims are heard. Immigration officials were mistaken
in thinking the 20 hadn't filed refugee status claims.
The group is among 131
Chinese migrants who have been detained at CFB Esquimalt in British
Columbia, after they were forced from their ship off the Queen
Charlotte Islands last week.
Immigration officials interviewed the migrants to determine their
status and whether they should be processed as refugees under
Canadian immigration law.
On Monday Immigration Canada said only 10 people would be
claiming refugee status, another 78 would be deported and the status
of 43 children, who had been with the group, would be determined at
a later date.
The Canadian Council for Refugees found the error. A refugee
advocacy agency had sought a review after hearing complaints about
the screening process.
In admitting the mistake, Immigration Canada said it discovered
the 20 migrants had indicated they wanted to make a refugee claim in
their initial interview but those notes weren't seen by senior
officers who reviewed the files.
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