Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 
From: ncrm@egroups.com
Subject: [ncrm] Su family Campaign 

A HEADMASTER said yesterday that he would rather put his job in jeopardy than allow immigration officials to deport two "impeccable" pupils to China.

John Mayes, the head of Astley High School, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, said Miao Hong Su, who is 16 today, and her brother, Jing, 14, had lived in Britain for five years and deserved to stay.

He said: "They are not going. I am willing to sacrifice my job for these kids. If police turn up they have to go through me, and they will not be given permission. Can this Government be so insensitive to the needs of children that they would seek to arrest them? I would love to ask the Home Secretary to come to school and explain in an assembly full of their friends why these children have to go."

The headmaster's stand is supported by Dai Williams, head of the neighbouring Lyndhurst Primary School where the children's brother, Zhao, 11, is in his final year. Mr Williams said: "I feel so strongly that these children are going through emotional abuse."

The children's father, Su Lian Hu, who fled to Britain in 1989 after helping students involved in the Tiananmen Square massacre, claims that he faces execution if he returns to China. The family say they were told last month that they could stay in Britain. But last week immigration officials told them they would have to leave on a flight to Beijing at 4.30pm yesterday. Their solicitors are now preparing a legal challenge.

The Home Office said: "In general terms, when applicants conclude the appeals process and receive an adverse decision their solicitors make further 
representations. These are always carefully considered by case workers, and during this time people stay on temporary admission."