BEIJING is arranging to repatriate 659 Chinese nationals detained aboard three ships off the Mexican coast to prevent them landing in the United States, where they could seek political asylum.
The decision follows the announcement by Mexican authorities that the illegals would be temporarily admitted to Mexico for speedy repatriation back to China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wu Jianmin said yesterday Beijing was talking with Mexico City about taking the Chinese home.
After days of bitter dispute between the United States and Mexico, Mexican authorities announced they would take the stranded Chinese, but only to repatriate them.
The ships' crews will be jailed on immigrant-smuggling charges, Foreign Undersecretary Andres Rozental said.
The agreement will send a tough message back to the smuggling syndicates of China's coastal provinces.
The Washington administration is now believed to be preparing to follow through with legislation that would dramatically reverse its previously liberal policy of allowing all arrivals the chance to claim political asylum.