VANCOUVER - Ninety more Chinese migrants who arrived by boat last summer were returned to China yesterday, 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.

The department 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," Ms. Vermette said. "These people are subject to fines and light jail sentences."

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

The deportation took place aboard an American Boeing 747, chartered to fly out of Prince George, B.C., to an undisclosed Chinese destination -- with a stop in Whitehorse for fuel. The trip cost $700,000.

One nurse and 29 Citizenship and Immigration staff accompanied the 84 men and six women.

While all 90 migrants were handcuffed, some waved and smiled, while others raised their middle fingers, shouting out what sounded like expletives.

The action brings to the number of migrants who have now been deported to 196. Immigration has issued arrest warrants for another 138 people, including 32 minors. Sixteen of the migrants have had their refugee claims accepted and decisions are pending in 66 cases. Ms. Vermette said the government is ready to remove anywhere between 50 and 100 others.

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

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 yesterday 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 captured.

"The individuals have been aware that they would be removed to China," Ms. 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 Ms. Vermette.

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

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