Petition updateBring Priya and her beautiful family back home to Biloela, QueenslandAfter days of fear for Priya and Nades, hope is returning

Angela FredericksBILOELA, Australia

28 juin 2018
Last night I spoke with Priya. After days of fear and terror, I was so glad to hear some lightness in her voice.
We may need to call urgently for help again. But for now I have just request. Please sign our new petition urging Qantas and other airlines to fly this family home, and share it with your friends: https://www.change.org/HomeToBiloela
It has been an emotional rollercoaster of a week. On Friday night, Priya and Nades were given notices telling them they could be forced from Australia as soon as the following Monday.
So we put out a call for help.
Your response was amazing. As Priya and Nades’ incredible legal term moved heaven and earth to prepare an urgent injunction, you flooded Mr Dutton’s voicemail and facebook page with messages and comments.
By Sunday, we had written confirmation that no deportation would be attempted before Tuesday.
We knew we had to do more. Inspired by the US airlines refusing to fly children far from their parents, we launched a new petition calling on Qantas and eleven other airlines to refuse to fly Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa anywhere but home, to Biloela: https://www.change.org/HomeToBiloela
That night, we came together for a candlelit vigil in the Biloela Lions Park. It was an evening full of love and community spirit, and we watched the children of Biloela run around the park in their home-made, “DESTINATION: BILOELA” aeroplanes, wishing that three year old Kopika was here to join them.
Monday morning brought huge relief as the courts granted an injunction to stop Priya and Kopika’s deportation, giving lawyers a precious few weeks to prepare an appeal.
But with the relief came fear. I can’t hope to explain the legal technicalities, but the complexities of our immigration system mean that Nades and Tharinucaa are not protected by the injunction.
Government lawyers said that they don’t usually split up families. But after everything else Border Force has put Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa through, we need to stay alert.
Priya and Nades both send their love and tremendous thanks to each and every one of you, for taking them into your hearts and standing up for their safety.
With eternal thanks,
Angela
PS I want to add my own heartfelt thanks. I have been strengthened by the number of messages I have received from people. I apologise if I haven't gotten back to you personally, but please know it means the world to me to have your support.
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