The Indian students took refuge in a church in Auckland after their appeal for revoking their deportation was turned down by the Immigration Minister.
Sunny Sehgal from Migrant Workers Association told SBS Punjabi that the ministerial “help” does not appear to be in sight, but they are still 'optimistic'.
Mr Sehgal told SBS that the government has softened its stance and has allowed these students to stay till 27th Feb with some further negotiations to be done by 22nd Feb.
Sunny Sehgal from Migrant Workers Association in an interview with 's
Mr Sehgal said that the Indian students were showed no compassion by the government the way they did to ‘Chinese and Fillipino migrant cases’.
“We are heartbroken. We request Minister of Immigration to show mercy to these students as he did in November 2015 to 600 Filipino Dairy workers who had shown irregularities in their work visa applications," said Mr Sehgal.
A press release from the Migrant Workers Association stated:
“International Indian students fighting for justice have been handed extremely harsh and ruthless decision today by David Bennett, The Associate Minister of Immigration.”
“While there has been overwhelming support and solidarity for the students in Sanctuary, today's decision by the Minister means that the students must depart New Zealand.”
“INZ has undertaken not to deport these students until Wed 22 Feb. This enables the students' lawyer and INZ to negotiate conditions of departure (deportation, re-entry bans, character waivers).”
According to a NZ Herald Report, the Immigration NZ general manager Stephen Vaughan has confirmed that the agency had agreed not to enforce deportation orders against the students while it considers a request from their lawyer to let them leave the country voluntarily.
Alastair McClymont-the lawyer who is representing these students said while the students are being deported, the immigration had taken no action against the agents and others involved who continue to operate.
Earlier, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland called on the Minister of Immigration to act with compassion and mercy and to drop the deportation orders against the Indian Students who have been granted sanctuary at the Unitarian Church in Ponsonby.
Indian International students at the Unitarian Church in Ponsonby, Auckland Source: Supplied
“We believe that they should be allowed to stay to complete their studies and work experience as per their original visas.”
"We ask our Minister of Immigration to show mercy to these students as he did in November 2015 to 600 Filipino Dairy workers."
