Migrants on the move
WebPosted Aug 4 1999 5:33 PM PDT
VANCOUVER - Three more of the Chinese
refugee claimants found off Vancouver Island will remain in
custody. That brings the total number detained to 37.
Meanwhile the remaining migrants are on their way to freedom.
Immigration Canada officials say a total of 86 of the
migrants have been released or will be released in the next
few days. But 8 women and 29 men will remain in custody.
They're being held in a Vancouver detention centre and they'll
remain there until their identities are clear.
Rob Johnston is with Immigration Canada. He says they're
being held because they either can't prove who they are or
because they may have been involved in the human smuggling
operation.
"As far as their identity, we're not satisfied with it.
We're continuing to investigate each one of their cases to
determine identity and also investigate any security concerns
as well as their possible involvement in the actual smuggling
exercise," Johnston says.
The detained migrants are entitled to a review every 7
days. Meanwhile the released migrants will be getting help
from local aid agencies, but Johnston says its up to the
provincial government to decide if they're entitled to welfare
and other social security.
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