What's next for illegal
Chinese migrants?
WebPosted Thu Aug 5
09:09:09 1999
VICTORIA - About two-thirds of the
Chinese citizens caught trying to sneak into Canada on an old,
unmarked cargo ship two weeks ago have been released from custody
pending refugee hearings.
Immigration
authorities say 86 of the 123 people detained have now been let go,
after providing satisfactory identification.
37 migrants
remain in custody.
| But there are strict
conditions to their release. They must report to immigration
officials while applying to remain in Canada as refugees. Most will
stay in Vancouver while their cases are reviewed.
Another 37 people found on the ship are still in custody.
Investigators say they're not satisfied with their stories. Some are
suspected of organizing the human smuggling operation.
For the past two weeks, all of the Chinese citizens have stayed
at a make-shift holding centre at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.
Some of them say they paid up to US $38,000 to make the long,
dangerous voyage to Canada.
They spent more than a month on the crowded, filthy cargo ship,
under conditions that coast guard officials say were not fit for
human life.
On their first day of freedom Wednesday, the first place many of
the refugees were taken to was the Intercultural Association of
Greater Victoria, a local aid agency.
Initially, each migrant gets $175 a month for food, clothing and
incidentals. There are also meetings with immigration officials and
lawyers for their upcoming refugee hearings.
"We help the ministry staff determine hardship allowances and get
them into emergency shelters for the next week or so until we can
make more permanent arrangements," said association director Jean
McRae.
The association knew a week ago the migrants would eventually be
coming. That gave it time to organize extra staff and interpreters.
For the association, things have been hectic. But the migrants
are glad to be out of detention.
"They've been walking around, checking their environment and
they're pretty happy about that," McRae told CBC News.
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