Partial victory for Irish schoolboy Eric Zhi with ‘no imminent threat of deportation’ to China
- Dublin-born Eric Zhi Ying Xue, 9, was facing deportation with his mother, who arrived illegally in Ireland from Fujian province in 2006
An Irish-born schoolboy who is facing deportation to China has won a partial victory in his battle to stay in the land of his birth.
Nine-year-old Eric Zhi Ying Xue – who has been described as being “as Irish as a glass of Guinness” – was told there was “no imminent threat of deportation” as justice officials in Ireland carried out a review of his case and that of his mother, Leena Mei Mei Xue, who arrived in Ireland illegally 12 years ago.
The boy’s primary school principal, Maeve Tierney, who spearheaded a vociferous campaign to block the forced return, described the move as “an important first step”.
News of the partial reprieve came from Simon Harris, a member of parliament for the constituency of Wicklow, where Eric lives.
Harris, who is also the Irish government’s health minister, told Dublin media this week that he had made representations to the Department of Justice and Equality on behalf of Eric and his mother, who arrived in the country from Fujian province in 2006.
