Illegal migrants' failed dreams of 'heavenly life'

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- They have tried to migrate illegally in pursuit of a "heavenly life" or "jihad." Some have even planned terrorist attacks in China.

All have found a reality totally different from their dreams.

China Central Television broadcast a program on Saturday about illegal migrants repatriated home by Chinese authorities.

Some have returned to normal life, while others are in custody for suspected crimes. But all are rethinking what they have heard from those who promised them the "heavenly life."

LIES AND NEW HOPE

Fruit farmer Mehmut is now busy managing the apple and pear trees on his orchard, which covers 6,667 square meters in Aksu, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Now most of his work is finished and he just needs to fertilize the trees twice in October. Mehmut said the orchard could bring him 100,000 yuan (16,110 U.S. dollars) this year.

Two years ago, things were totally different.

Mehmut was caught while illegally migrating and repatriated to Xinjiang. An investigation showed he was coerced and deceived into migrating.

"What a dolt I was. I was influenced by religious extremism," he told CCTV. "I was told that I could do anything I wish after going abroad and no one could stop us. (I was also told) it is easier to earn money overseas. As long as I was there, I could make big money."