17 Chinese nationals slip off cruise ship in N.S.
Last Updated Wed, 28 Sep 2005 14:42:54 EDT
CBC News
Seventeen cruise ship passengers used false passports to slip past Canadian immigration officials in Halifax earlier this month.
It's the largest single incident of ship-jumping in Halifax so far this year, police said Tuesday.
Immigration officials say that on Sept. 9, the 17 people used fake South Korean passports to leave the cruise ship, saying they were seasick or just wanted to get off temporarily.
"They just said they were going off because they weren't feeling well," said RCMP spokesman Sgt. Phil Young. "Instead of going back on, they hopped a train for Toronto."
Police said they don't know where the group is now.
Young said it's quite common for poor young Chinese people to use forged passports to enter Canada, and then claim refugee status so they can stay.
The Korean passport is a common choice because Canada does not require South Koreans to have a visa, he said.
However, it's rare for large numbers of illegal entrants to come to an East Coast port aboard a cruise ship, and the initial influx of 17 people appeared to catch officials off guard.
He said the group doesn't pose security or terrorist risks.
"These are Chinese individuals who are trying to find a better life in Canada."
Word of the 17 ship-jumpers got out when immigration officials said that four others from the same ship are now in jail, for trying to leave the ship the same way, four days later.
"We knew a lot more by then than we did previously," said Young.
One of the four, the group's English-speaking escort, has been charged with aiding and abetting illegal entry to Canada.
All 21 are believed to have started their journey in Le Havre, France.
Young said Canada Border Services and the RCMP will conduct a joint review of the incident and intend to increase their scrutiny of the South Korean passports.
Last Updated Wed, 28 Sep 2005 14:42:54 EDT
CBC News
Seventeen cruise ship passengers used false passports to slip past Canadian immigration officials in Halifax earlier this month.
It's the largest single incident of ship-jumping in Halifax so far this year, police said Tuesday.
Immigration officials say that on Sept. 9, the 17 people used fake South Korean passports to leave the cruise ship, saying they were seasick or just wanted to get off temporarily.
"They just said they were going off because they weren't feeling well," said RCMP spokesman Sgt. Phil Young. "Instead of going back on, they hopped a train for Toronto."
Police said they don't know where the group is now.
Young said it's quite common for poor young Chinese people to use forged passports to enter Canada, and then claim refugee status so they can stay.
The Korean passport is a common choice because Canada does not require South Koreans to have a visa, he said.
However, it's rare for large numbers of illegal entrants to come to an East Coast port aboard a cruise ship, and the initial influx of 17 people appeared to catch officials off guard.
He said the group doesn't pose security or terrorist risks.
"These are Chinese individuals who are trying to find a better life in Canada."
Word of the 17 ship-jumpers got out when immigration officials said that four others from the same ship are now in jail, for trying to leave the ship the same way, four days later.
"We knew a lot more by then than we did previously," said Young.
One of the four, the group's English-speaking escort, has been charged with aiding and abetting illegal entry to Canada.
All 21 are believed to have started their journey in Le Havre, France.
Young said Canada Border Services and the RCMP will conduct a joint review of the incident and intend to increase their scrutiny of the South Korean passports.
