Perth family facing deportation over son’s Down syndrome granted eleventh-hour residency

A Perth family facing deportation because their son’s disability was deemed a burden on taxpayers have been told they can stay in the country.

The Aneesh family, from Carlisle, were facing the prospect of heading back to India next week after living in Perth for seven years because their 10-year-old son Aaryan failed the visa health test.

Aaryan has an intellectual disability and Down syndrome.

Krishna Aneesh, who is a cybersecurity expert, and her husband Aneesh Kollikkara, who works in telecommunications, last week told 9 News Perth they were denied permanent residency in Australia due to potential costs for their son’s disability.

“They haven’t even considered what we are contributing to the society, how we are integrated within the society, we are also tax-paying,” she said.

“We really want [Immigration Minister Andrew Giles] to give us a chance to call Australia our home ... I really plead for him to intervene in our case.”

Aaryan’s parents said their son doesn’t rely on any disability support services, but according to the immigration department, the 10-year-old’s cost to the Australian community is “too significant”.

They calculated a total taxpayer cost of $664,000 in expenses over a decade.

On Wednesday morning, following a three-year visa fight, the family said it had received official word that Giles had intervened and granted the family permanent residency.

Family advocate Suresh Rajan said Krishna burst into tears upon receiving the news after lodging a ministerial intervention request.

“The department rang us this morning to say they were granting the family a bridging visa until the minister made his decision ... and literally within half an hour of that call, the minister’s office rang and said we’ve decided to intervene and offer you a full permanent residency,” he said.

“The minister has applied complete human rights principles here, and we’re so grateful to him for that.

“It’s an incredible decision and incredibly quick.”

Giles’ office declined to comment.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.