Heartwarming Update for Bathurst Family Facing Deportation

A family of four from Bathurst, New South Wales, has received a heartwarming update regarding their immigration status. After facing the threat of deportation back to Vietnam due to a sponsorship error, the Nguyen family has been granted permanent residency in Australia, thanks to the support of their local community and a successful appeal to the immigration minister.

Key Takeaways

• The Nguyen family faced deportation after their permanent visa application was rejected twice.
• Community support played a crucial role in their successful appeal for permanent residency.
• The family has lived in Bathurst since 2015, contributing to the local culinary scene.

Background Of The Nguyen Family

The Nguyen family, consisting of matriarch Hue and her three children, has been a beloved part of the Bathurst community since 2015. Hue was sponsored as a head chef at a local Vietnamese restaurant, which later became their own business, ‘Anam’.

In 2017, they applied for permanent residency, but their application was rejected in 2019 due to a mistake made by their sponsor, who had employed someone with an expired visa. This oversight meant that the business lost its ability to nominate workers for residency.

The Struggles Faced

The family’s journey to secure their residency has been fraught with challenges:

1. Rejection of Visa Application: Their application was rejected twice, first in 2019 and again in 2023, due to their sponsor’s financial instability.
2. Community Support: The local community rallied around the Nguyens, with many residents unaware of their immigration struggles until recently.
3. Legal Appeals: The family lodged an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Support And Advocacy

The support from the Bathurst community has been overwhelming. Local MP Andrew Gee and former Bathurst mayor Jess Jennings were instrumental in advocating for the family. Jennings, who has been a patron of ‘Anam’ for a decade, expressed her desire for the family to remain in the community, highlighting their contributions to the local culture and culinary landscape.

In a show of solidarity, the Bathurst City Council unanimously signed a support letter for the Nguyens to present to the immigration minister. This collective effort underscored the community’s commitment to keeping the family in Bathurst.

A Joyful Outcome

In August 2024, the Nguyen family submitted a ministerial intervention request to Immigration Minister Tony Burke, which proved successful. They recently announced their victory through a change.org petition, expressing their gratitude to everyone who supported them during their challenging journey.

"Victory. We’ve finally got it! We have been granted permanent residency!" they shared, thanking the community for their unwavering support.

The family expressed their pride in being part of the Bathurst community and looked forward to many more shared moments together. Their story serves as a reminder of the power of community support and the importance of standing by those in need.

Conclusion

The Nguyen family’s journey from facing deportation to securing permanent residency is a testament to resilience and community spirit. Their story not only highlights the challenges faced by many immigrants but also showcases the positive impact of local support in overcoming adversity. The Nguyens are now looking forward to continuing their lives in Bathurst, contributing to the vibrant community they have come to love.

Sources

• Heartwarming update for Bathurst family facing deportation from Australia after Daily Mail Australia revealed their legal battle | Daily Mail Online, Daily Mail.