VANCOUVER (CP) - Ninety more Chinese migrants who arrived by boat last summer were returned to China on Thursday, facing jail and fines upon arrival. The move was made with the co-operation of Chinese officials, who confirmed that the Chinese nationals would be accepted upon arrival.

"All of the individuals have had due process," said Therese Vermette, spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

CIC has been assured by Chinese authorities that migrants will face light jail terms of less than one year, she said.

"The Chinese government has laws that you cannot leave the country without authorization," Vermette said. "These people are subject to fines and light jail sentences, and obviously some of them have been."

Canadian Immigration Services alerted the migrants Thursday morning that they would be leaving.

A few hours later, the migrants boarded a 747 charter in Prince George and headed to Whitehorse, where the plane will refuel and a new crew will take over.

One nurse and 29 CIC staff accompanied the 84 men and six women to an unknown destination in China.

While all 90 migrants were handcuffed, some managed to wave and smile, while others raised their middle fingers, shouting out what sounded like expletives.

The decision to deport the migrants en masse is a political move that jeopardizes their safety, said Victor Wong, an advocate for the Chinese migrants.

"I fear that these people face what those 90 people faced when they were returned May 10. They are still in a Fujian jail," he said.

"I don't disagree that people should be sent home when they have exhausted the process here. But people are deported usually on an individual basis."

The Canadian government is getting tougher on illegal immigrants, said Vermette. Tougher provisions - including detention for smuggled migrants - will be written into new legislation, she said.

"Our minister has said publicly, and in China, that she will not tolerate smugglers."

Thursday's deportation cost $700,000.

To date, 196 of the 599 migrants smuggled by ship to British Columbia have been deported.

The last group of 90 migrants deported to China on May 10 landed in China's Fujian province, where they remain in jail.

More than 90 more migrants remain "removal ready" and CIC is seeking approval from the Chinese government for another mass transfer, said Vermette.

Tension has grown among some migrants since the first mass deportation in May.

There have been two small riots by migrant detainees at two provincial jails where they have been held since their arrival last summer.

Included among the 90 deportees Thursday were all of the people involved in a riot at the Alouette facility, as well as some involved in a riot in Prince George.

Another nine migrants escaped from the Prince George jail but all were later recaptured.

Some of the escapees were also on the Thursday flight.

"The individuals have been aware that they would be removed to China," Vermette said. "It's no surprise that with negative decisions they would have to go home."

To date, 16 migrants have been granted refugee status while 412 have been denied. Another 66 claims remain, according to Vermette.

Canadawide warrants remain outstanding for 138 migrants, including 32 minors. Some have forfeited substantial cash bonds, said Vermette.

Some, including nine Korean sailors in Victoria, face criminal charges, and are waiting for court proceedings.

© The Canadian Press, 2000