A family from Toowoomba, Queensland, has received a last-minute reprieve from a looming deportation deadline. The Nangan family, consisting of parents Reyna Nangan and Karin, along with their eight-year-old daughter Kaia, were initially required to leave Australia by March 8, 2024. Their bridging visas were extended just a day prior as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke deliberates on their future in the country.
The family has made Toowoomba their home for over a decade, operating a local restaurant named Kaia’s Kitchen. Reyna, originally from the Philippines, and Karin, who hails from Thailand, met while studying in Toowoomba. They married and welcomed Kaia into the world at a local hospital, creating deep roots in the community. “This is our home. Australia is our home,” Reyna expressed, emphasizing their commitment to the country.
The family faced deportation after their most recent application for permanent residency was denied. The sudden news of the visa extension has brought a sense of relief. “You can breathe again,” remarked supporter Jane Schuler, who has actively campaigned for the family’s right to remain in Australia. More than 3,500 people have signed a petition advocating for ministerial intervention, underscoring the family’s integral role in their community. “We can’t lose them. We need people like this in Australia and in Toowoomba,” Schuler added.
The hope now rests with Minister Burke, who will review the family’s situation. According to Louisa Jones, an expert in law and immigration from Australian Catholic University, “It does often take really special cases for the minister to intervene.”
The Nangan family dreams of becoming Australian citizens, purchasing a home in Toowoomba, and continuing to serve their loyal customers at the restaurant for years to come. “We are finally home,” Reyna said, expressing her optimism that the reprieve will lead to a permanent solution.
As the family awaits a decision, their story highlights the complexities of immigration law in Australia and the human impact of such policies on families striving to build a life in a new country.
