Family legally living in Australia asked to leave as their son’s Down syndrome is ‘burden’ on nation
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: A family is feeling helpless as they have been asked to leave Australia — which they called their own for years — because their son has Down syndrome. Aneesh Kollikkara and Krishnadevi Aneesh, who hails from India, have two children, a 10-year-old son, Aaryan, and an 8-year-old daughter, Aaryasree. Aneesh works as a telecommunications technician while his wife is a Cyber Security expert.
As per reports, the four have been living in Australia for seven years but they were shocked when the Immigration Department rejected their application for permanent residency (PR). The authorities have allegedly blamed Aaryan’s health condition for the non-acceptance as they believe his special care would be a “burden” on the country.
‘I don't know how to tell that to the kids, and how that will affect them’
The family filed their request for PR in February 2020 and got the dismissal report in mid-2021. But more shock followed recently when their final plea was rejected and they were given the ultimatum to leave the country of kangaroos within a few days. Speaking with 9News, Krishnadevi said, “When I received this, I was really heartbroken. I don't know how to tell that to the kids, and how that will affect them.”
The mother also speak with ABC as she explained, “They [her children] are integrated into the community and if we had to move back to India, it would be a new environment for them. The culture, society, and everything here are very different from India and also it will be very hard for Aaryan to survive there because of this [disability]. Even though he has Down Syndrome, he is really healthy ... he has the same physical capabilities as any other child.”
She added, “We are eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Medicare but we haven't accessed anything for Aaryan via NDIS. They have clearly stated that it is a financial burden to the community and all the taxpayers here in Australia if we are given permanent residency. We can say that we are paying more than that in our own tax and we are contributing to society.”
‘Our children have known no other home than Australia’
A Change.org petition has also been launched to help the family. It says, “Aaryan has a mild intellectual disability and Down Syndrome. Despite the two of us parents working in what are considered critical industries here in Australia, Immigration has denied us Permanent Residency Visas. This has been entirely attributed to Aaryan's condition.”
“The CMO has assessed the cost to the taxpayer if Aaryan accessed all disability services at a very high cost. The reality is that Aaryan does not access any services whatsoever. And this is unlikely to ever change,” the message continues, before adding, “Our children have known no other home than Australia. To now require us to go to India is a seriously retrograde step in their development.”
‘He won't be a significant cost to the Australian community’
The family has also urged for help from Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. Krishnadevi told SBS News, “People having a kid with Down syndrome or any kind of disability, people have a different attitude towards them. We kindly request the minister to intervene [in] our case and grant us permanent residency. We are contributing positively to the economy and society."
“Please consider our contribution, while considering the disability of our kid. Even he has just a mild disability. He won't be a significant cost to the Australian community or taxpayers,” she added. But no comment has reportedly been made yet by Giles’ office on the matter.
It has also been stated on the petition, “The only person that can change that position is Hon Andrew Giles. We have lodged a Ministerial Intervention request to him. We need to get as many signatures on this petition to ensure that we can demonstrate that it is in the public interest for our family to remain here. Please sign our petition to Minister Giles to allow us to stay and provide our children the best life possible for their future.”