Let them stay
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Let them stay

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A well-liked Etobicoke restaurateur and his family are being deported to China forcing the closure of their popular eatery and a loss of jobs for five workers, including two Canadians. Zhuo Yi Jiang arrived in Canada in 2002 with wife, Wei Hang Ye, both 40, and their son Jia Jun Jiang, 11. They later became parents of a Canadian-born daughter, Zhi Jun, 7. Jiang filed a refugee claim on behalf of his family to remain in Canada but it was rejected by an Immigration and Refugee Board. An application to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds was also refused. The family has to report to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), on Airport Rd., on Tuesday to make arrangements for their deportation. “This is terrible because we work 13 to 14 hours a day so we can pay our bills and build our business,” said Jiang. “I think I may have to close my restaurant and let go the staff.” Jiang said his elderly parents and two married sisters, who have four children, are all Canadian citizens. He has been operating the Golden Asian Cuisine, on Rexdale Blvd., for almost three years. His wife and other family members work at the small restaurant. “We have a lot of people who depend on us,” Jiang said. “I am very disappointed because we have worked so long and hard to make the business grow.” He said the restaurant brings in about $30,000 a month. The family also has a $450,000 home, which is almost paid off. The couple had the option of taking their Canadian daughter with them to China or to leave her here with Children’s Aid officials. “I am taking both my children if we have to leave,” Jiang said. “All we want is a better future for our children.” Roy Kellogg, an immigration consultant who represents the family, said the Jiangs are well-established and settled in Canada. “This family is law-abiding and have a profitable business that hires Canadians,” Kellogg said. “They almost own their home and are paying a huge amount in taxes.” He said the family should be given a chance to remain in Canada. “They will make great Canadians,” Kellogg said. “Prime Minister Harper was in China trying to attract businesses and right here we are trying to save a business owned by Chinese.” He said the Jiang children have no right to reside permanently in China and will never obtain citizenship there since their parents have lived abroad. He said the children are not part of China’s “one-child policy” and are called “black children,” because they face penalties and do not qualify for government assistance. No date has been set for their removal.

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