Autistic boy faced with deportation allowed to stay in Australia
HE faced deportation because his disability made him a “burden” to Australian taxpayers, but in a win for humanity, this 10-year-old autistic boy will be allowed to stay.
WE’RE chalking this one up as a win for humanity.
A 10-year-old autistic boy and his mother threatened with deportation over his condition will be allowed to stay in Australia.
Tyrone Sevilla and his mother Maria had lived in Townsville for eight years, but in March were told by the Immigration Department they would be sent back to the Philippines because the boy’s autism was judged a financial burden to tax payers.
Ms Sevilla, a clinical nurse, arrived in Australia in 2007, and has worked hard as a single mother to successfully build a good life for herself and son. Last year, she applied for a 489 skilled visa and was told she did not qualify because of her son’s condition.
Ms Sevilla fought for her family’s right to stay in the country, telling news.com.au: “He didn’t choose to have autism so why is he being subjected to this?”
Her unrelenting battle to overturn the decision attracted incredible support with 125,000 people signing a Change.org petition.
The cause gained further attention when one of Tyrone’s friends appeared on Q&A to deliver a heartbreaking plea to allow his mate to stay.
The family still had to convince Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who finally granted a permanent visa to Ms Sevilla and her son at the weekend.
The minister’s intervention means the family’s deportation order has been overturned.
Subject to standard immigration checks, the pair’s visa status should be finalised in coming weeks.
Still in shock at the weekend, Ms Sevilla said she was grateful for the decision and could finally move on with her life once those papers were in her hands.
“I’m pleased we can provide assistance to a young boy who is in need of medical and educational support — as a generous country that’s what we do,” Mr Dutton told reporters in Canberra.
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