Teens included in
smuggling operation WebPosted Jul 22 1999
5:09 PM PDT
VANCOUVER - Thirteen teenage boys are among
the 123 Chinese people who were picked up in Nootka Sound on
Tuesday. They're currently being held at CFB Esquimalt.
The youngest boy among those holed up in the converted gym in
Esquimalt is fourteen years old. There are twelve others below the
age of seventeen. The boys do not appear to have parents with them.
Immigration official Jim Redmond says the juveniles are being given
special attention. He's called in Child Protection Services to
ensure their needs are met. Child protection workers have checked
out the accommodations and will sit in on the boys' immigration
interviews.
Redmond says there are no new details as to how much the migrants
might have paid for the trip or where they were ultimately headed.
So far none of the illegal migrants has asked for refugee status.
Redmond says they will be asked during the interview process whether
or not they intend to make refugee claims.
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