The federal government has ruled that an American soldier who has been living in Toronto because she didn't want to serve in Iraq must return to the U.S.
The War Resisters Support Campaign says federal officials have told Kimberly Rivera she must leave ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ by Sept. 20.
Michelle Robidoux, a spokeswoman for the War Resisters Support Campaign, said the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Border Services Agency notified Rivera of the decision on Thursday.
Robidoux says that means the government does not believe Rivera's claims that she will face harsh penalties if she is deported to the U.S. Rivera, the first female U.S. war resister, fled to ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ in 2007 to avoid further military service.
Rivera, who lives in Toronto, arrived while on leave but then applied for refugee status.
The War Resisters Support Campaign says two other Iraq war resisters who were deported, Robin Long and Clifford Cornell, faced year-long jail sentences upon their return.
