A Hastings Indian family with three New Zealand-born children is facing deportation.
The couple have been in New Zealand for 11 years but have been overstayers since their permit expired in 2003. Their three children, Hemani Mall, 8, and 6-year-old twins Gaurav Mall and Gagan Malla, are NZ citizens and have the right to stay, but Mrs Rani said she could not bear to leave the children behind.
Two weeks ago a removal order was issued for the couple, and Mr Mall taken into custody. The kids have not been able to see their father since. Mrs Rani collapsed at home after hearing of the initial order yesterday, and was unable to make any comment.
The family would be forced to live in squalor in India, as they come from the "untouchable" caste. They would live with relatives in a village in the Punjab, sharing a house with no sanitation or cooking facilities with two other families. With no land, they would have no income. As the children are not Indian citizens, they would not even be able to attend school or have access to medical care.
While the kids want to stay in New Zealand, they want to be with their parents above all else. Hemani: "I just want to stay with my mum and dad."
The parents' pleas to be allowed to stay in New Zealand have so far been declined by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson. This decision goes against the established law in similar cases.
MP Craig Foss has asked Ms Wilkinson to review the case. The Hastings Mayor has said that the family will have much support from the community. Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the rights of children had to "override all other considerations" and any decision that could split up a family was "patently absurd".
MP Keith Locke has urged the government to "show compassion ... it's not as if their parents have committed any great crime...why not let them stay?"
We need to unite together to urge the Immigration office to make the right decision, for these children and for the whole family. Please sign this petition to show your support.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 18, 2010
October 17, 2010
The momentum surrounding this petition has grown into a powerful testament to the value New Zealand places on keeping families together. This shift in public engagement brings renewed hope to the Mall family during their most difficult hour.
October 13, 2010
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. I appreciate the attention this family is receiving from so many people.
Reached 100 supporters
October 12, 2010
6 Comments
They contribute to NZ and the kids are kiwis. Sending them back to nothing is wrong. We are better than this.
Poor kids. They are kiwis and this is their home. Breaking up a family is just cruel. Let them stay.
Its not right. The children are born here and deserve to stay with their parents. Please show some compassion.
THIS IS HEARTBREAKING. HOW CAN IMMIGRATION BE SO HEARTLESS TO CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN HERE???
11 years is a long time. They have been part of our community this whole time. Common sense needs to prevail here.
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A Hastings Indian family with three New Zealand-born children is facing deportation.
The couple have been in New Zealand for 11 years but have been overstayers since their permit expired in 2003. Their three children, Hemani Mall, 8, and 6-year-old twins Gaurav Mall and Gagan Malla, are NZ citizens and have the right to stay, but Mrs Rani said she could not bear to leave the children behind.
Two weeks ago a removal order was issued for the couple, and Mr Mall taken into custody. The kids have not been able to see their father since. Mrs Rani collapsed at home after hearing of the initial order yesterday, and was unable to make any comment.
The family would be forced to live in squalor in India, as they come from the "untouchable" caste. They would live with relatives in a village in the Punjab, sharing a house with no sanitation or cooking facilities with two other families. With no land, they would have no income. As the children are not Indian citizens, they would not even be able to attend school or have access to medical care.
While the kids want to stay in New Zealand, they want to be with their parents above all else. Hemani: "I just want to stay with my mum and dad."
The parents' pleas to be allowed to stay in New Zealand have so far been declined by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson. This decision goes against the established law in similar cases.
MP Craig Foss has asked Ms Wilkinson to review the case. The Hastings Mayor has said that the family will have much support from the community. Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the rights of children had to "override all other considerations" and any decision that could split up a family was "patently absurd".
MP Keith Locke has urged the government to "show compassion ... it's not as if their parents have committed any great crime...why not let them stay?"
We need to unite together to urge the Immigration office to make the right decision, for these children and for the whole family. Please sign this petition to show your support.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 18, 2010
October 17, 2010
The momentum surrounding this petition has grown into a powerful testament to the value New Zealand places on keeping families together. This shift in public engagement brings renewed hope to the Mall family during their most difficult hour.
October 13, 2010
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. I appreciate the attention this family is receiving from so many people.
Reached 100 supporters
October 12, 2010
6 Comments
Let's make an amnesty like the U.S. This is a small amount of parents. If the child is a kiwi they should be entitled to stay. Let's be human here.
They contribute to NZ and the kids are kiwis. Sending them back to nothing is wrong. We are better than this.
Poor kids. They are kiwis and this is their home. Breaking up a family is just cruel. Let them stay.
Its not right. The children are born here and deserve to stay with their parents. Please show some compassion.
THIS IS HEARTBREAKING. HOW CAN IMMIGRATION BE SO HEARTLESS TO CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN HERE???
11 years is a long time. They have been part of our community this whole time. Common sense needs to prevail here.
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Let's make an amnesty like the U.S. This is a small amount of parents. If the child is a kiwi they should be entitled to stay. Let's be human here.