A family faces deportation after being denied permanent residency because their four-year-old daughter’s “slow learning” is a “burden” on the health system.
Navneet Kaur, in her late 30s, moved to Perth from India eight years ago as a licensed doctor, but “couldn’t pursue that career” because of the visa she had, so she decided to work in the hospitality industry instead.
She went through “all the processes” to become a permanent resident but was refused – with the Home Office rejecting her application on the grounds of her daughter’s learning difficulties.
Ms. Kaur, her husband and daughter Iris have been given 21 days to leave the country and say goodbye to their close-knit network of friends.
Navneet Kaur, in her late 30s, moved to Western Australia from India eight years ago as a licensed medical doctor, but ‘couldn’t continue that career’ due to the visa she had, and decided to pursue a career in hospitality
“They’ve basically been told that Iris is a burden on the state because she (Iris) isn’t perfect,” close friend and employer Wes D’Arcy told me. Yahoo News.
“(Navneet) has gone through all the PR (permanent residency) processes, so she will eventually qualify and be here long enough to apply for citizenship right away.
“But they have forbidden her to advance in that because your PR is medical (evaluation) and the child failed on that basis.”
D’Arcy said if Iris had a voice she would say she is Australian because she was born here and never left the country.
The four-year-old suffers from something called “slow learning” and performs tasks as a two-year-old would.
Conditions like Down syndrome and autism have been ruled out, but doctors haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly what’s causing her condition.
Experts have claimed that Iris will grow out of the condition and eventually have no problem entering the workforce.
Doctors have been unable to determine what is causing Iris’s condition
Mrs. Kaur (pictured) has been described by close friend and employer Wes D’Arcy as a “great” pillar of the community and the backbone of the Jarrah Bar and Café in Hillarys Boat Harbor
So they’ve been told “you have to go, you can’t go any further,” and “we won’t approve your permanent residency” — despite all the paths you’ve taken along the way and their commitment to the community, always working, always pay taxes,” said Mr. D’Arcy.
“They (the federal government) made up some stupid figure they pulled out of the air to say that over the next three years for the help she (Iris) needs, it’s going to cost $140,000.”
Mr. D’Arcy is the owner of the Jarrah Bar and Café in Hillarys Boat Harbor and has worked with Ms. Kaur for five years in various business ventures.
The mother has been described as a “great” pillar of the community and the backbone of the company.
“She’s been great, like a sister to me,” Mr. D’Arcy added.
“I’ve seen her get married and have a child and grow up in the community.”
She “loves Australia” and has been left “very stressed” and “very hurt” by a system she thought she trusted.
Ms. Kaur’s close friend and employer, Wes D’Arcy, said the federal government had told the young family support for Iris (pictured) would cost $140,000
The young family has been given 21 days to leave Australia as the Perth community rally behind them (pictured, Ms Kaur)
The Perth community has rallied behind the young family, with hundreds sharing their support on social media.
“As someone who knows this family, my heart truly breaks for them!!” a user responded.
‘Iris is such a beautiful little girl and I have never met a more devoted mother than Navi! My little one will be so sad when Iris goes away!’
“How we can kick someone out who was born in Australia is literally beyond me!!!”
Another wrote: “This is unacceptable. They work, pay taxes and contribute to Australia. They deserve that respect in exchange for this country.’
“How can they be a burden. They work here and pay taxes,” said one resident.
“The child is an Australian citizen and the government is turning its back on one of them! Absolute disgrace to the Australian Government’.
The young family’s next step is to appeal to the Administrative Court in the remaining days.