June 11th 2024.
A young woman from Sydney, Maria Duminica, has reached out to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles for help in her situation. She, along with her mother and stepfather, migrated to Australia from Romania when she was only 10 years old. Her stepfather, being an Australian citizen, enabled them to come to Sydney on a tourist visa, and soon after, her mother applied for a partner visa for them. While waiting for the permanent visa to be approved, they were given temporary bridging visas.
Maria fondly remembers her arrival in Australia as a child, in the middle of summer. She recalls their first stop being at Bondi Beach, where she was captivated by the beauty and the happy atmosphere. She was struck by the warmth and friendliness of the locals, something that she had not experienced in her home country. However, despite the picture-perfect exterior, Maria's home life was not as happy. As she grew older, her relationship with her mother and stepfather deteriorated, leading her to leave home at the age of 16.
Initially, Maria stayed with friends, but soon moved to temporary crisis accommodation. Eventually, she found a place to live at Stepping Stone House, a refuge for young homeless people in Dulwich Hill, in the inner west of Sydney. Despite the long commute to her high school in Rose Bay, Maria was determined to continue her studies. She had always been taught the importance of education and was determined to finish her high school.
However, just before her 18th birthday, Maria received some frightening news that put her future in Australia in jeopardy. Due to some complications with her mother's visa application, Maria's bridging visa was cancelled, and she was not notified for a month. She was shocked and scared, not knowing what steps to take to fix the situation. As a result, she had limited options and could not even apply for a study visa.
In a last-ditch effort, Maria's solicitor applied for a protection visa, which was refused in 2022. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal also rejected their appeal, leaving Maria with no other choice but to seek Minister Giles' intervention. Fortunately, the tribunal member overseeing her case recognized the special circumstances and referred it to the minister's office in June last year. Since then, Maria has been anxiously waiting for a decision that could change her life.
Living on a bridging visa with the constant fear of deportation has been exhausting for Maria. She does not consider Romania her home and has no connections there. If she is sent back, she will be a young woman on the streets, with no support or resources. Despite the challenges, Maria has been able to secure a job in hospitality and moved out of the refuge to live independently.
However, her future remains uncertain, as she does not have permission to study or make long-term plans. She is afraid to sign a six-month lease or buy a car, as she could be sent back to Romania at any moment. The staff at Stepping Stone House have started an online petition to support Maria's case, which has garnered significant support. The CEO of the refuge, Jason Juretic, has also spoken in favor of Maria, praising her determination and resilience.
Maria's immigration lawyer, Sally Jackson, has highlighted the uniqueness of her case and urged the minister to intervene. She explained that as a child, Maria did not have a stable family unit to support her, and sending her back to Romania would put her in a vulnerable position. The spokesperson for Minister Giles has assured that they are aware of Maria's case and looking into it.
In conclusion, Maria's plea for help has touched the hearts of many, and she has received immense support from the community. Her determination and hard work have been evident throughout her journey, and many believe that she deserves the chance to stay in Australia. Let's hope that Minister Giles will consider her case and grant her the right to call Australia her permanent home.
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