Miss-Delectable
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- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3453385a10,00.html
"The parents of a deaf South African girl allegedly murdered by her father in Auckland were told by the Immigration Service the child and her deaf sister were a potential "burden on the state".
The Sunday Star-Times has learned that shortly before the girl's death, the parents received a letter from the Immigration Service indicating they might be denied New Zealand residency because the child and her deaf sister would be a drain on health services.
The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been in New Zealand for about two years. The girls were enrolled in school, and the family were applying for permanent residency.
When they arrived on two-year work permits, they were not required to undergo health screening and it is understood the parents did not realise their children's deafness could prevent them gaining residency.
The Immigration Service requires immigrants to prove they or their dependents will not be a burden on health services and applicants have to answer medical questions, including whether they have hearing difficulties.
Deaf children are considered a potential burden because of the need for surgery and cochlear implants.
One of the girls is understood to have needed an operation.
Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said the policy raised "serious questions about discrimination on the basis of disability".
She had asked the Immigration Service to provide evidence that immigrant families were coming to New Zealand to take advantage of better services, but none had been forthcoming.
The Immigration Service refused to talk about the case, but said all migrants applying for residency in New Zealand had to have an "acceptable standard of health".
"This means they must not be considered a danger to public health or be likely to require expensive New Zealand health services," spokeswoman Mary Anne Thompson said.
The service was unable to supply figures on how many people had been declined entry to New Zealand on health grounds.
It said the South African family had the right to apply for a medical waiver.
The Star-Times understands the letter to the South African couple approved the parents, but said their two daughters were potential burdens. The parents were asked to prove they would not be.
In August, a short time after the letter arrived, the father of the girls is alleged to have driven them off the side of Mt Wellington in Auckland.
The vehicle rolled more than 100m down the mountain and the oldest girl died.
The father was taken to hospital, where he was charged with murder and attempted murder.
The Star-Times understands the man was under stress from several factors, including the family's battle for permanent residency.
But an immigration source denied they were being unfairly treated. The man, a sales representative, has no family in New Zealand but his wife's parents live here. His wife is sticking by him.
Supporters said he had been dedicated to the children.
He has been visited in prison by former race relations conciliator Greg Fortuin, who is the honorary consul for South Africa.
Fortuin said he was called in by the man's family to ensure he was safe and he had access to legal help.
He could not comment on the immigration matter, "but it's definitely a tragic set of circumstances".
The principal of the school the girls were attending said they were legally enrolled almost two years ago. Their parents had to show they had a work permit. They also had approval from the Secretary for Education for the children to be enrolled in the school. "My view is that they are parents who cared deeply about their kids. They were valued members of the school community," the principal said.
He said about 25 per cent of his school's roll was made up of children born overseas.
The government last year announced stricter health screening requirements for immigrants, including medical examinations and an assessment of likely special education costs.
From November 28 this year there will be tougher restrictions on entering the country for people with health problems, including TB and HIV.
Deaf Association chief executive Jennifer Brain said: "I know the government was considering a law that would make it difficult for anyone who is deaf or disabled to immigrate to this country. I find this abhorrent."
Brain said she received a letter from the Immigration Service saying it would be implementing new migrant health screening requirements.
It included a copy of medical and chest x-ray certificates, and stated that all applicants, including children were required to undergo a medical examination and have a medical certificate submitted as part of the application process.
"The way it is worded I would say the government is looking to avoid bringing anyone into the country that may be considered a `cost' to the system and I find that very galling.
"As a deaf person, I am loathe to be considered a burden on the state. The law does seem draconian and selective."
Thompson said the Immigration Service considered every case.
"Included in this assessment are the costs of surgery, ongoing medication needs and the cost of health equipment and resources," she said.
"We do not make residency decisions lightly. We look at each applicant on a case by case basis and weigh up the different and often complex aspects involved."
"The parents of a deaf South African girl allegedly murdered by her father in Auckland were told by the Immigration Service the child and her deaf sister were a potential "burden on the state".
The Sunday Star-Times has learned that shortly before the girl's death, the parents received a letter from the Immigration Service indicating they might be denied New Zealand residency because the child and her deaf sister would be a drain on health services.
The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been in New Zealand for about two years. The girls were enrolled in school, and the family were applying for permanent residency.
When they arrived on two-year work permits, they were not required to undergo health screening and it is understood the parents did not realise their children's deafness could prevent them gaining residency.
The Immigration Service requires immigrants to prove they or their dependents will not be a burden on health services and applicants have to answer medical questions, including whether they have hearing difficulties.
Deaf children are considered a potential burden because of the need for surgery and cochlear implants.
One of the girls is understood to have needed an operation.
Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said the policy raised "serious questions about discrimination on the basis of disability".
She had asked the Immigration Service to provide evidence that immigrant families were coming to New Zealand to take advantage of better services, but none had been forthcoming.
The Immigration Service refused to talk about the case, but said all migrants applying for residency in New Zealand had to have an "acceptable standard of health".
"This means they must not be considered a danger to public health or be likely to require expensive New Zealand health services," spokeswoman Mary Anne Thompson said.
The service was unable to supply figures on how many people had been declined entry to New Zealand on health grounds.
It said the South African family had the right to apply for a medical waiver.
The Star-Times understands the letter to the South African couple approved the parents, but said their two daughters were potential burdens. The parents were asked to prove they would not be.
In August, a short time after the letter arrived, the father of the girls is alleged to have driven them off the side of Mt Wellington in Auckland.
The vehicle rolled more than 100m down the mountain and the oldest girl died.
The father was taken to hospital, where he was charged with murder and attempted murder.
The Star-Times understands the man was under stress from several factors, including the family's battle for permanent residency.
But an immigration source denied they were being unfairly treated. The man, a sales representative, has no family in New Zealand but his wife's parents live here. His wife is sticking by him.
Supporters said he had been dedicated to the children.
He has been visited in prison by former race relations conciliator Greg Fortuin, who is the honorary consul for South Africa.
Fortuin said he was called in by the man's family to ensure he was safe and he had access to legal help.
He could not comment on the immigration matter, "but it's definitely a tragic set of circumstances".
The principal of the school the girls were attending said they were legally enrolled almost two years ago. Their parents had to show they had a work permit. They also had approval from the Secretary for Education for the children to be enrolled in the school. "My view is that they are parents who cared deeply about their kids. They were valued members of the school community," the principal said.
He said about 25 per cent of his school's roll was made up of children born overseas.
The government last year announced stricter health screening requirements for immigrants, including medical examinations and an assessment of likely special education costs.
From November 28 this year there will be tougher restrictions on entering the country for people with health problems, including TB and HIV.
Deaf Association chief executive Jennifer Brain said: "I know the government was considering a law that would make it difficult for anyone who is deaf or disabled to immigrate to this country. I find this abhorrent."
Brain said she received a letter from the Immigration Service saying it would be implementing new migrant health screening requirements.
It included a copy of medical and chest x-ray certificates, and stated that all applicants, including children were required to undergo a medical examination and have a medical certificate submitted as part of the application process.
"The way it is worded I would say the government is looking to avoid bringing anyone into the country that may be considered a `cost' to the system and I find that very galling.
"As a deaf person, I am loathe to be considered a burden on the state. The law does seem draconian and selective."
Thompson said the Immigration Service considered every case.
"Included in this assessment are the costs of surgery, ongoing medication needs and the cost of health equipment and resources," she said.
"We do not make residency decisions lightly. We look at each applicant on a case by case basis and weigh up the different and often complex aspects involved."
