(BCTV) - Part 3
There are other countries that are also forced to deal with
floods of illegal Chinese migrants. One of those "promised lands"
is Australia. As we continue our focus on the desperate people who
try to escape from China's Fujian province, Deborra Hope reports
on how they deal with refugee claimants "Down Under". [
Deborra Hope, reporting: "They're customs officers hot on the
trail of the new contraband. They have reason to believe this
vessel is attempting to smuggle desperate people to a new life.
Australia is a destination of choice. In the past 12 months
alone, more than 40 ships have turned up off Australia's shores.
Those on board have one thing in common. They've all paid
Snakeheads for the promise of a better life.
Many don't make it. They're rounded up in their new suits -
their filthy clothes from the journey abandoned on the beach.
Those who do escape find themselves lost on the unfriendly
Australian coast...the authorities not far behind them doing what
they can to find a few lost souls in the vast wilderness."
Immigration officer: "It is very difficult...We have no idea of
the people we are looking for or what location where they are
going to be."
Deborra Hope, reporting: "Here, as elsewhere in the world,
people smuggling is becoming a major issue, one that governments
are just beginning to come to grips with."
Phillip Ruddock, Immigration Minister: "It is the truth that
something like seven million people are on the move around the
world. It is the truth that something like four billion dollars is
being extracted from them for the purpose of engaging in people
smuggling."
Deborra Hope, reporting: "Of course, each country deals with
the would-be immigrants differently. Australia ships detainees to
an isolated detention centre on the north coast. And then, almost
always, ships them back home. Their Migration Act says anybody who
gets in illegally must be shipped out as soon as possible. What
these hopeful people don't seem to know is that to date, 86
percent of the Chinese boat people have been deported."
Immigration official: "You have to understand that you can't
jump on a boat and come to Australia. If they haven't got a basis
to enter, these people will be returned quickly."
Deborra Hope, reporting: "But the counterattack is costing
millions of dollars and so far, despite its hard line stance,
Australia seems unable to discourage the Chinese and others from
making their desperate journey to a better life. And experts are
now warning, there are many more to
come."