Iranian family in Melbourne fears forced to return after living in Australia for over a decade

A Melbourne-based Iranian family, having sought refuge in Australia 12 years ago, now confronts the possibility of a forced return to Iran amidst proposed changes to Australia’s deportation laws. The family, comprising Amineh Khasri, her husband, and their five children, arrived by boat in 2013, seeking safety and a new beginning away from the threats they faced back home. Despite their efforts to integrate and build a life in Australia, the spectre of deportation looms large, exacerbated by the government’s new migration proposal aimed at bolstering deportation powers.

Under the proposed legislation, currently under Senate review, the government seeks to compel individuals to comply with deportation efforts or face imprisonment. This bill targets roughly 150 people in immigration detention for obstructing deportation but could also extend to thousands living in the community on bridging visas, including the Khasri family.

The family’s journey from Iran was fraught with danger and uncertainty, motivated by a desperate need for safety. Despite the hostile environment they fled, their refugee claims were largely rejected under a fast-tracked process, leaving them in a prolonged state of limbo on bridging visas. Iran’s refusal to accept involuntary returns has so far prevented their deportation, but the new proposal threatens to override this deadlock by requiring individuals to apply for passports for ‘voluntary’ returns.

Amineh Khasri shared her family’s fears with the ABC, expressing concern for their safety and future should they be compelled to return to Iran. The family’s situation highlights broader issues faced by many in similar positions, living in uncertainty and fearing the loss of the lives they have painstakingly built in Australia.

Critics, including Refugee Legal’s executive director David Manne, have labelled the proposed laws as “draconian” and potentially applicable to a vast number of people, thus creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion among refugees, migrants, and their advocates. The legislation also allows for the reopening of cases where individuals have already been recognized as refugees, further endangering their rights and safety.

Former Department of Immigration official Abul Rizvi expressed doubts about the government’s intention to deport those who have integrated into the Australian community over many years. However, for families like the Khasris, the threat of being caught in the bill’s wide net is all too real, casting a shadow over their hopes for a stable and secure future in Australia.

Amineh’s plea to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles underscores the desperation and anguish of families caught in the crosshairs of policy changes, yearning for normalcy and the chance to contribute positively to the society that has been their home for over a decade. As the debate over the proposed deportation laws continues, the fate of thousands hangs in the balance, awaiting clarity and compassion in Australia’s approach to those seeking refuge within its borders.