Agence France Presse quotes a Chinese official as stating that the "illegal Chinese immigrants" (boat refugees) who were deported from Mexico "will not be punished when they return to China. ...[Chinese] authorities will [only] give them lectures before sending [them] home" (19 July 1993). Quoting a Hong Kong newspaper on the return to China of 347 of these "illegal emigrants", the BBC reports that
about 95% of the batch of illegal emigrants would be allowed to go home in one week after receiving education in the legal system and paying fines according to their situation by the country police.... Country departments would work in coordination with police substations of various townships and towns to screen those who already had a record of more than two attempts at illegal emigration; other criminal records; or those who had been at large, as quickly as possible to handle their cases and mete out penalties of education through labour, fine or sentences of imprisonment (27 July 1993).
Additional information on the above subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 19 July 1993. "Illegal Chinese Immigrants Deported from Mexico Will Not Be Punished." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 27 July 1993. "Illegal Emigration; Fujian Illegal Emigrants to Mexico to Face Fines and Investigation." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 19 July 1993. "Illegal Chinese Immigrants Deported from Mexico Will Not Be Punished." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 27 July 1993. "Illegal Emigration; Fujian Illegal Emigrants to Mexico to Face Fines and Investigation." (NEXIS)