A New Beginning: Navigating Ministerial Intervention and Section 61 to Secure a Family's Future in New Zealand
Discover a powerful story of resilience and legal navigation as a family overcomes significant immigration hurdles to secure their future in New Zealand, utilizing Section 61 and Ministerial Intervention.
The situation
The family, consisting of a wife with a deportation order, her unlawfully residing husband, and their child born in New Zealand under the same unlawful status, faced imminent deportation.
Their case was complex, closely monitored by the compliance team, adding intense pressure and risk of deportation.
Strategic legal action
In response to their precarious situation, the family engaged our firm, led by Simon, our CEO, who recognized the severity of their case.
With the deportation order successfully addressed, the next step involved regularizing the family's status under Section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009.
This provision allows individuals who are unlawfully in New Zealand to make a special application for a visa, considered directly by the Minister of Immigration.
Simon prepared a compelling Section 61 application that highlighted the family’s long-standing ties to New Zealand and the potential hardship of displacement.
Outcome
The application under Section 61 was successful, granting visas to all family members and legally solidifying their status in New Zealand.
This victory marked a significant turn in their lives, offering stability after 15 years of uncertainty.
Future prospects
With their new legal status, the family is now planning an emotional trip back to Indonesia, their first in fifteen years, to reunite with extended family.
Conclusion
This case exemplifies the intricate work involved in dealing with complex immigration cases and the profound impact of legal expertise on individual lives.
It highlights the critical role of understanding and utilizing specific legal provisions like Section 61, alongside strategic Ministerial Intervention.
Note: The client and Simon never once met in person and conducted all communications through our advanced IT system. It was due to the restrictions on travelling and meetings because of Covid-19. However, when the restrictions got lifted, our firm decided to continue the no face to face meeting policy after we found out it was more practical and efficient.