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22 Smuggled Chinese Nabbed at U.S. Port
Twenty-two stowaways from China who were caught after climbing out of a shipping container last week said they paid a smuggling operation $10,000 each, and some fear persecution if they are sent back, authorities said.
The 18 men and four women, in their 20s and 30s, were detained after a security guard at the Port of Seattle spotted them wandering around a cargo terminal.
Story Continues Below The ship had left Shanghai two weeks earlier. Their 40-foot cargo container had water bottles, food, blankets and toilet facilities.
Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge for Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said it has been difficult getting accurate information from the Chinese nationals. Some have made claims of "credible fear" of persecution, which is the first step in a process toward political asylum.
"We know that these people have a fear for the safety of their loved ones who may have ponied up the money," Winchell said. "They don't want the appearance of cooperating with authorities."
An asylum officer will hear their concerns, possibly this week. In the meantime, they are being held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
"They've not technically entered the U.S. For all intents and purposes, we could have turned around and sent them home," Winchell said. "It would be the same if they showed up at the airport without a visa."
© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note:
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