|  |

|
Wednesday, May 10, 2000 MASS DEPORTATION CONDUCTED UNDER A
CLOUD OF MYSTERY
(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.
What do you think? Do you support the
government's decision to deport 90 Chinese migrants? That is our
Question of the Day. You'll find it on the front
page. |
|
______ __ _____ ________ ____ ______ ________ ____ ______
_________ ___________ __________ _______ ______________ __________
_______ ____________ __________ _______ ___________
| |
|