Tamil migrant ordered deported

The first of nearly 600 migrants who arrived on B.C. shoresaboard two cargo shipsover the past two years has been ordered deported from Canada, after admitting he was a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The group is widely known as the Tamil Tigers and is considered a terrorist organizationby the federal government.

A member of the Immigration and Refugee Board made the ruling in Vancouver Tuesday, citing the fact that the man fought in at least one battle for the organization and never tried to leave itover a seven-year period.

The man admitted to being a member of the Sea Tigers, the naval arm of the organization. He was injured in a battle in 1994 in a mission to destroy a Sri Lankan naval ship, which failed.

IRB member Michael McPhalen said it wasn't necessary for the Canada Border Services Agency to prove the man committed serious crimes with Tamil Tigers, only that he was a member.

The man, whose identity is banned from publication, stared straight ahead with no expression as heheard the decision.

His lawyer said he'll confer with his client to decide if he'll apply for a judicial review of the decision by the federal court.

The man is one of 32 from among the 492 people who arrived aboard the MV Sun Sea last August who border officials allege participated in terrorism, human smuggling or war crimes.