(Brian Coxford ) - Nearly one hundred Chinese migrants, who came to B.C. last summer, are flying home through a cloud of mystery and secrecy. It may be the largest single deportation in Canadian history. It was conducted under the watchful eye of surprisingly heavy security at the Abbotsford airport. Sharp shooters were on roofs and SWAT members were on the tarmac with dogs. Murray Wilkinson from Canada Immigration says the security was necessary to protect staff and police as well as guard against escape attempts. Victor Wong of the Association of Chinese Canadians says the security shows how much the migrants do not want to return to China. The migrants came in rusted out freighters last summer. Three boats off the west coast of Vancouver Island carried 599 migrants. They had paid snakeheads up to $30,000 U.S. apiece to be smuggled into Canada. Intercepted by police, they were detained first at a detention centre in Esquimalt then moved to jails around the province to await refugee hearings. But today, 90 leave B.C., the largest group of people every deported out of the Lower Mainland. Canada Immigration claims the migrants are happy to go home. Wilkinson says when he spoke with officers in Prince George Tuesday night, the migrants were packing their bags and singing, happy to go back to China. One man apparently, wasn't part of the sing along, as he was dragged onto the flight along with a few others who didn't want to go. Wilkinson says he hopes the deportation is the first step in a very strong message to smugglers. "If they come here illegally, they will likely be detained and sent home whether they want to go or not." Immigration offici als won't say where in China the flight with the migrants and 16 immigration officials is heading, but do admit the migrants will likely be held in detention there.

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