Gold Coast couple Sarah Maxwell and Lewis Christie face deportation
A Queensland child protection worker who has lived in Australia for nine years, and who is six months pregnant, says she and her partner face being deported to the UK.
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A pregnant Gold Coast couple say they’re facing deportation back to the UK after years building a new life in Australia.
Child protection worker Sarah Maxwell and life coach partner Lewis Christie have launched a petition pleading with Immigration Minister Tony Burke to urgently review their temporary visas, which expire in August.
They say they are awaiting a permanent residency offer and without it, “we run the risk of being deported”.
In the Change.org petition, Ms Maxwell – who is six months’ pregnant – said she had lived in Australia for more than nine years while Mr Christie had been here for five.
“Our whole lives are here, and we are proud and grateful to call Queensland our home,” she wrote.
“We have a baby on the way in May, two dogs, a beautiful and secure rental property, full time jobs/careers, pay taxes, have adequate healthcare, have a solid support network and all of our pregnancy, midwifery and post-partum care arrangements are here in Queensland Australia too.
“We have always dreamed of raising our family here and we are so close to this dream coming true, though running out of time.”
Ms Maxwell said she had worked on the front line as an ‘essential worker’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting children and young people experiencing homelessness.
“I currently work in a Queensland Government-funded role in child protection with some of Queensland’s most at risk children and families,” she said.
“I am so dedicated to working with the people of Australia to make things safer and happier.
“We have expressed interest in a 491 Skilled Regional Visa via Skill Select, and only have until August 2025 to receive an offer, otherwise our little family runs the risk of facing deportation after almost 10 years of building a life here and contributing significantly to the economy.
“We meet ALL the visa requirements and have more than enough points to receive an offer from Queensland migration.
“Over the years, between us we will have spent over $40,000 on visas to remain lawful in Australia. I have studied here and upskilled myself over the years to ensure we would be able to remain here and continue to live the life we adore.
“Unfortunately, my employer won’t sponsor me, and Lewis is not currently eligible, and so receiving an offer for this 491 permanent residency visa before August is our only and last option.
“We are desperate to remain in our secure, safe home and in this incredible country and we please ask that you sign this petition.
“It breaks our hearts to think of having to leave the life we have worked so hard to create for ourselves and our family here in Australia. If we have to go back to the UK, we have nothing and would be starting all over again with a newborn baby.”
More than 300 people have so far signed the petition to try to prevent the couple’s potential deportation.
Originally published as Gold Coast couple Sarah Maxwell and Lewis Christie face deportation
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