Toronto Crack Mayor Rob Ford Voluntarily Withdrew Application to Enter U.S., '100 Percent in Rehab'
Rob Ford decided not to enter the United States, but his lawyer says that he is, "100 percent in rehab."
The mayor arrived in Chicago last week, but he decided to withdraw his request to enter the United States.
"He voluntarily withdrew his application to enter the USA," said Roy Norton, Consul General of Canada in Chicago. He added that the mayor "was not denied entry, per se," according to The Globe and Mail.
Rob Ford's brother, Councillor Doug Ford, said he is doing well.
"For the one-millionth time, Rob Ford is in a rehabilitation program," he said. "He's in rehab, and that is all everyone cares about. No one in Toronto cares about where he is. They are concerned about him getting rehab."
He would not give out the location, saying that it would be a violation to Ford and others who are also in the program.
Dennis Morris, Ford's lawyer, echoes the statements.
"The mayor is 100 percent in rehab," he said. "I can assure you of that."
But it is not clear if the rehab center is located in the United States or Canada.
Those close to Ford have also not clarified why he chose to leave Chicago.
A Toronto immigration lawyer Michael Niren said he believes it's because it was likely he was going to be denied entry.
"Most likely what happened was the immigration officer at the border may have warned him that he would likely be denied entry, so he was allowed to withdraw," Niren said. "Meaning he decided he's not going to make a formal entry to avoid the risk of being formally refused."
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, however, said he believes that Ford's location should be given. He said it's the only way to verify that he really is in rehab and that, with the mayor's track history, it is not easy to believe what is simply said.