Immigration activists say move is political

VANCOUVER - Ninety Chinese migrants have been sent home in the second mass deportation since four boatloads arrived off the West Coast last summer.

The migrants, 84 men and six women, were taken from a jail in Prince George, B.C., yesterday and put aboard an airplane bound for China, in a deportation that cost $700,000. Their refugee claims were denied and all appeals exhausted.

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

Once aboard, their charter flight took them to Whitehorse, where the plane refuelled and a new crew took over. One nurse and 29 immigration department staff accompanied the 84 men and six women to an unknown destination in China.

Capt. George Bowlus, who flew the plane to Whitehorse from Prince George, B.C., said some of the migrants were in restraints and well guarded on the plane .

``They had like 35 guards for 90 people.''

A total of 599 Chinese migrants arrived aboard decrepit ships beginning on July 20 last year. Ninety were deported on May 10 to Fujian province, where many were promptly fined or jailed.

``What's important to note here is that there are laws in China against leaving illegally,'' Citizenship and Immigration Canada spokesperson Therese Vermette told a Vancouver news conference. ``We've been assured by the Chinese authorities that if there are first-time offenders that they will be dealt with more leniently.''

Nearly 100 more migrants are almost ready for deportation, Vermette said.

Victor Wong, executive director of the Vancouver Association of Chinese Canadians, said many of the migrants wanted to be sent home individually - and some even offered to buy their own tickets - so they would not face arrest or punishment upon return to China. ``When you are sent home on an individual basis to China you run a lower risk of receiving a penalty,'' said Wong.

Most of those deported to China on May 10 are still in jail and face fines equivalent to $4,000, which amounts to at least two years' employment income, Wong said.

Just 16 of the Chinese migrants who arrived aboard the boats have been granted refugee status.

Including yesterday, 196 have been deported. Another 150 remain in jail and nearly 150 others have fled and face outstanding arrest warrants.