Source: Radio New Zealand
Nelson elder care nurse Nithin Mankeel with his wife Aparna Jayandhan Geetha and five-year-old son Aidhan Nithin. Supplied
A Nelson nurse says he is living in fear as he tries to stop the deportation of his autistic child.
Immigration New Zealand has denied 5-year-old Aidhan Nithin a pathway to live in New Zealand, after finding he is likely to impose significant costs or demands on health and education services.
The decision has prompted a rally, two petitions and two unsuccessful requests for Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk to intervene.
The boy’s father, Nithin Mankeel, said he was pleading officials not to separate the family.
“It’s really heartbreaking. I don’t know how, mentally, I can cope, if that’s going to happen,” he said.
Mankeel moved to New Zealand from India in January 2024, followed by his wife and son later that year.
He works as an elder care nurse, and his wife Aparna Jayandhan Geetha works as a senior healthcare assistant.
Mankeel, whose job is on Tier 1 of INZ’s Green List, applied for the straight-to-residence pathway, listing his family members as secondary applicants.
INZ sought more information about Aidhan’s delayed speech abilities, leading to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and global developmental delay.
The agency then invited the family to submit further evidence to support a medical waiver, Mankeel said.
“I’ve consulted many doctors, psychologists and GPs, the latest GP reports state that he’s improving once he started kindergarten … he’s doing a lot of things independently,” he said.
After months of back-and-forth with INZ, Mankeel said he was told all three visas would be declined unless he withdrew Aidhan’s name and applied separately for a different visa category.
Mankeel did that; his and Geetha’s visas were approved in June, while Aidhan’s application for a new visitor visa was declined in July.
INZ found Aidhan was likely to impose significant costs or demands on health and education services, which under new rules introduced in March, meant he could not be granted a visa.
“His status is now unlawful because he doesn’t have any valid visa … so there’s a liability of deportation,” Mankeel said.
“I was really, really shocked.”
Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk has the power to intervene in exceptional cases, but declined the family’s appeal. NICK MONRO / RNZ
Appeals blocked, family seeks discretionary route
The family lodged an appeal to the independent Immigration and Protection Tribunal on humanitarian grounds, but it was not accepted as it was submitted after the statutory 42-day timeframe.
They also appealed to Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk, who under the Immigration Act 2009 has the power to intervene in exceptional cases.
Penk declined that appeal, and declined to consider a second appeal from Nelson MP Rachel Boyack on the basis there was no new extenuating or compelling information.
INZ confirmed it was reviewing a Section 61 request lodged by the family, a discretionary application that allows people unlawfully in New Zealand to seek a visa under the Immigration Act 2009.
If approved, it could restore Aidhan’s lawful status, it said.
The agency said it would not take any compliance action while it assessed that request.
MP and residents call for compassion
Boyack described the situation as “deeply unfair”.
“You can’t recruit essential health workers into New Zealand and then deport their child. If Aidhan is deported, then the family will leave as well. And that will be a massive loss for Nelson,” she said.
She said she had received countless emails from people who worked alongside Mankeel, were cared for by him, or were family members of people he cared for in their final days.
All of them spoke highly of his work as a nurse, she said.
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack said the community would continue fighting for Aidhan Nithin. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“Nurses have said he’s the best healthcare professional they’ve worked alongside. I just can’t understand how a minister could read all of this evidence from members of the community and not look at it, you know, in a holistic way and look at what the benefits would be for Nelson in allowing this whole family to stay.”
The community would continue fighting, she said.
More than 4000 people have signed a petition asking officials to rethink the decision.
A second petition is calling on the House of Representatives to abolish the Acceptable Standard of Health immigration requirements.
Earlier this week, a rally was held in central Nelson to support the family.
“It was organised at the very last minute and had around 200 people turn out,” Boyack said.
Immigration New Zealand: Health rules must be applied consistently
INZ deputy chief operating officer Jeannie Melville said applicants assessed as likely to impose significant costs on health and education services could not be granted a waiver, “regardless of family circumstances or occupation”.
The requirements were designed to balance individual cases with the sustainability of the country’s health and education systems, she said.
The agency clearly advised Mankeel of the implications of withdrawing Aidhan from the original application, “including the impact on future visa applications”, she said.
“We understand the challenges faced by Mr Mankeel and his family; however, immigration health requirements are very specific and can only be waived through ministerial intervention. The granting of residence to Mr Mankeel and his wife was based on the critical need for healthcare professionals in New Zealand, as reflected by their inclusion in Tier 1 of the Green List. All secondary applicants must still meet the health criteria for their visa category,” she said.
The agency acknowledged the concerns raised by the family, local representatives and community members.
“INZ carefully considered all information provided, including evidence of parental support and Aidhan’s integration into his community. However, immigration decisions must be made in line with the Immigration Act and associated instructions. These rules help keep decisions consistent, while protecting the future of New Zealand’s health and education services. We recognise this is a difficult outcome for the family and will continue to engage with them to manage the process compassionately.”
Mankeel said he and his wife had given up everything to make Nelson their home.
“I don’t have any licence to practise in India because we cancelled that and got the registration here. We left everything and came [here],” he said.
He said his elderly parents in India would not be able to care for Aidhan, and the thought of being separated was unbearable.
“Deporting my child is like cutting off my arm,” he said.
Mankeel said the response from colleagues and neighbours and others had been overwhelming.
“We are living full of fear but I’m getting so much support from many, many different communities,” he said.
“I’m getting weaker day by day but I’m getting all this support, I’m getting the energy to push forward. We are just praying and hoping for the best.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand