Ivonne Henriquez is a devoted mother of four very young children. Her children attend the school my child attends. Today, Ivonne is facing the unbearable prospect of being separated from them as her Australian visa has expired.

Ivonne was born in Venezuela but married a US citizen. The couple had been living in the US when a job opportunity brought them to Australia in 2008. Three years ago they separated. Ivonne wished to return to the US where her extended family live but her estranged husband wanted to stay in Australia.

Ivonne remained in Sydney, opening a karate school on Sydney's north shore and is the primary carer for the children, Sophia, 6, Tomas, 7, Mateo, 9, and Diego, 11.

Ivonne's visa expired on the 10th October 2015 but  her estranged husband applied for bridging visas for the children and was successful.This application was applied for without Ivonne’s permission for the children, and it would seem, that since this is done online, her approval is not sought until processing stage.

Today, Ivonne is facing imminent deportation without her children, back to Venezuela.

It is concerning that her ex-husband was able to submit an online visa application for her children without Ivonne's permission. Likewise, she is now unable to obtain any information from the Department of Immigration regarding her children’s visa status, as she was not the applicant.

The prospect of indefinite separation from her children is an unacceptable and scary plight to force upon any mother and her children.

Ivonne is also a strong and enthusiastic contributor to her community, with both teaching the inherent health, confidence, and moral qualities brought by her Karate - with well over 100 children attending. She is engaged in volunteer work through her children's primary school and soccer. She is compassionate, gentle, spiritual and loving, with total enthusiasm. Ivonne is a true asset to Australia.

While Ivonne has significant documentation that would justify a PR application on the grounds of the domestic violence provisions, unfortunately she is not eligible for this as these provisions do not extend to women on 457 visas. This seems an oversight within the immigration legislation, especially in light of all the wonderful work being accomplished by our Australian of the Year in this area.

Mr. Dutton, we seek your assistance in reviewing Ivonne's case. The damage it would do to her children to deport her would catastrophic and cruel to say the least. Surely, this is not the best that Australia can do? Surely we can see past the bureaucracy and prevent Ivonne from being separated from her four young children and her community.

Please sign and help ask the Minister to let Ivonne stay on compassionate grounds. The prospect of indefinite separation from her children is an unacceptable and scary plight to force upon any mother and her children, particularly to someone like Ivonne, who is a wonderful hands-on mother that just wants to take care of her young children.

Letter to
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection The Hon. Peter Dutton, MP,
We / I, _________________________ the undersigned, express our / my dismay at the possible deportation of Ivonne Henriquez (Vargas) by the Department of Australian Immigration and ask that you intervene and reverse this decision.

*This petition has been written with the consent and approval of Ivonne Henriquez.*