Pregnant Tamil migrant to be released from detention

A terrorism expert says Canada will become known as a safe haven for criminals and terrorists unless the government takes a strong stance dealing with a ship carrying 490 migrants that arrived in B.C. Friday morning. August 13, 2010. (Maritime Forces Pacific / Facebook)

One of the Tamil migrants who arrived in B.C. onboard the MV Sun Sea will be released from detention, after a decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

IRB spokeswoman Melissa Anderson told ctvbc.ca that the woman is pregnant and has an unspecified injury. She arrived in Canada accompanied by her three children.

Anderson said the board member who ordered the woman's release said that, "If there's any case that requires looking at a release from detention, this would be it."

The woman will be the first of 492 Sri Lankans to be released from detention since their arrival last month.

Anderson said that the Canadian Border Services Agency argued that the woman's identification card showed microscopic fibre damage that could indicate that it had been altered. The board rejected that evidence, saying that the damage could have been caused by rubbing in a pocket or wallet.

The woman will be released on several conditions, including that she provide an address where she will be staying. No bond will be required for the release.

The remaining adult migrants were still in custody Monday afternoon. One man is being held on security grounds in response to a Sri Lankan newspaper article naming him as a fundraiser for the Tamil Tigers. The rest have been held while their identification is confirmed.