"boat people are not the people in need"Many boat people have...

"boat people are not the people in need"

Many boat people have legitimate claims for refugee status and many are granted such status by the government. Economic status has nothing to do with whether one is a refugee. In fact you can argue being wealthy puts you at greater risk of persecution. I would say the people who cram on a boat with 100-300 other people are pretty desperate. It's a very risky step to take and many have died doing it. I know because I have heard first hand stories from people who have taken this route.