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Seven North African stowaways were taken into custody at the Halifax dockyard late last week.
Staff on a container ship from Antwerp, Belgium, discovered two of the stowaways while they were crossing the Atlantic. A subsequent search led to the other five being found.
The ship arrived Thursday evening and the seven men, described as being in their 20s and 30s, are now being held in the Burnside Correctional Centre.
“By 48 hours if they’re being detained they have to be presented to the Immigration Refugee Board to determine if we can detain them further,” said Canada Border Services Agency spokeswoman Jennifer Morrison.
“The options are either they can make a refugee claim or they can be removed from Canada.”
One of the men has reportedly said he wants to make a refugee claim. The CBSA spent most of Friday questioning the men and is investigating whether they pose any threat to Canadians.
Morrison said the investigation could take some time.
The men did not have documents on them and border officials need to check things like criminal records and any health issues.
As long as they are being held the men must appear before the Immigration Refugee Board after 48 hours, seven days and 30 days. As the men began their detention right before a weekend, their board hearing will likely appear today.
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