Zhang had unsuccessfully tried to place
Sherry with children's aid officials hoping one day the girl
will be able to sponsor her back to Canada.
Kellogg said Zhang has to report to a Canada Border
Services Agency removals unit, on Airport Rd., in two days
to finalize plans to leave the country.
"Normally at these meetings they set a date for her to
leave," Kellogg said. "But first she has to show that she
applied for a visa for Sherry."
Kellogg said it can take more than 20 years for Zhang to
be sponsored back to Canada by Sherry, who must first reach
age 18.
He said the child will be treated as a second-class
citizen if sent to China, where laws ban children out of
wedlock. He said Sherry will be stigmatized and will not get
health coverage, be allowed to attend school or to obtain
Chinese citizenship.
As a single mom, Zhang also faces a fine of $140,000 a
child for returning to China with children, Kellogg said.
Zhang came to Canada in 1997 and filed an unsuccessful
refugee claim and appeals.
Kellogg said he represents five Chinese moms in Zhang's
situation. He said most made failed refugee claims on
arrival in Canada and then filed appeals, during which time
they become pregnant.
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