AN accountant who won the support of almost 60,000 people in a deportation battle is again fighting for her future in Scotland.

Chennan Fei was just 13 years old when she arrived from China to join her parents in 2002, but when they failed to renew their status with the UK Government, Fei also became an over-stayer.

She only learned of the lapse in adulthood and the situation has torn the family apart.

Estranged from her mother and father, Edinburgh University graduate Fei was held in Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre as officials prepared to send her back to a country she had not seen since childhood.

However, she won a reprieve when her solicitor secured a judicial review on the legality of the Home Office decision.

And a judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that officials had not acted in accordance with the law.

This came after more than 59,300 people signed an online petition calling on the home secretary – then Amber Rudd – to intervene personally.

But more than one year later, Fei is preparing for yet another court session after officials rejected her case once again.

An appeal will be held in Glasgow on December 20.

The National:

Charity volunteer Fei, who lives in West Dunbartonshire village Renton with her fiancee Duncan Harkness, said: “It’s my parents’ mistake. I can’t choose who my parents are but I can choose who I can be. We have very different ideas. I don’t know why they chose to do this – it’s had a huge impact on me. It’s very difficult and getting harder.”

Fei learned the family’s status had expired just as a rule-change came into force.

Under the previous regulations, they would have qualified to apply for permission to stay on the grounds of long-term residency.

Around 20 supporters are expected to attend the hearing, with letters submitted by backers including Glasgow bailie Annette Christie, who established the petition in 2016.

The councillor’s submission states: “Although I understand that there is no rule or provision in the Immigration Act that deals directly with the children of over-stayers, I find it abhorrent that the child should answer for the sins of the parents.”

The wrangle has cost Fei her right to work and forced her to put plans, like her wedding, on hold.

Partner Harkness was in America when she was taken to Yarl’s Wood and feared she would be deported before he could return.

They got engaged in the Lake District following her release.

Fei told The National her time in immigration had been “agonising” and “mind-numbing”.

On her fear of returning, she said: “I’d get up at four or 5am, long before they opened the door to the corridor.

“The campus was closely monitored. I’d see people who didn’t know why they were there or how to get help.

“They don’t see you as a person.”

She went on: “I don’t understand why the Home Office had to wait a year just to issue the same decision again. I thought the judicial review was a turning point.”

The National contacted the Home Office for comment.

However, the department, headed by Sajid Javid, had not responded by our deadline last night.