An Indian-origin Christchurch resident is urging immigration officials to let her 15-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, live with her in New Zealand, after being separated from him for the past seven years due to the country’s health requirements for migrants.
Prince, a chef who has lived in Christchurch for the past decade, says her son Jap Sahib faces instability if he remains in India, where he has been living since his visa was rejected.
The family first moved to New Zealand in 2014, but during the process of applying for Jap Sahib’s student visa, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome. His application was denied under the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) requirements, which treat disabled migrants as potential cost burdens to education and health services.
In 2016, when Prince sought an exemption, immigration authorities told her Jap Sahib needed to leave the country. He has since been living with Prince’s mother in India, but her advancing age has made it increasingly difficult to care for him.
It is reported that Prince has since separated from her husband, who struggles with alcoholism and is unable to provide care. She says both she and her son are desperate to be reunited.
“No one should have their immigration status penalised due to health or disability,” campaigners from Migrants Against the Acceptable Standard of Health Aotearoa said. The group is calling on Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk to make an exemption and grant Jap Sahib residency.
Last year, supporters launched a petition highlighting the case, arguing that New Zealand’s immigration rules unfairly discriminate against people with disabilities.
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