Twenty-five Chinese citizens caught hiding on a cargo ship that docked
on Canada's West Coast last Monday have been ordered detained.
The migrants, found holed up inside two cramped containers, have all
made refugee claims to stay in the country.
At a special hearing Saturday, an adjudicator granted a request by
federal officials to keep the men locked up for now.
A lawyer representing the migrants accused the government of being
hypocritical -- arguing that Ottawa doesn't usually detain refugees who
arrive by plane, only those who come in groups on boats.
But immigration officials denied the accusation, saying it's clear those
who come secretly by sea are being smuggled into the country.
The cargo ship carrying the men, California Jupiter, was
originally bound for Seattle, but wound up diverted to Vancouver because
of a lack of space at the U.S. port.
The vessel had left Hong Kong Dec. 20, with the men sealed inside cargo
containers about three metres by 13 metres. They had some food, water,
and a couple of plastic pails to use as toilets and garbages.
The migrants have been ordered held at a detention centre in Prince
George, B.C., where they will join hundreds of other Chinese citizens
caught trying to sneak into Canada on boats last summer.
