New Zealand Teen Faces Deportation After Residency Appeal Denied

An 18-year-old teenager born in Auckland is facing deportation to India after his appeal for residency was denied. Navjot Singh, who has never been outside New Zealand, has lived in the country without legal status since his parents overstayed their work visas. The decision was finalized last week when Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk declined Singh’s plea for ministerial intervention, leaving him stateless and vulnerable to deportation.

Singh’s situation highlights a broader issue regarding the rights of children born to overstayers in New Zealand. Since the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2006, children born to non-resident parents do not automatically acquire citizenship. This change has left many young people, like Singh, in legal limbo, unable to access basic rights such as education, healthcare, and employment.

Singh learned of his undocumented status at the age of eight when he questioned his mother about why he could not attend school. “Ever since, I’ve been living in fear. I couldn’t even be honest with my friends,” he stated, as reported by RNZ. His father was deported to India when Navjot was just five days old, and his mother lost her visa in 2012. This left Singh and his family without legal status.

“I don’t think I’ll survive in India,” Singh expressed. “I don’t speak Hindi. I’ve heard even people with higher qualifications struggle to find jobs; what would I do?” His concerns reflect the uncertainty faced by many overstayers.

Singh’s case is reminiscent of Daman Kumar, an 18-year-old who recently gained residency through ministerial intervention after living in New Zealand for nearly two decades without a valid visa. Kumar described the government’s handling of Singh’s case as “totally unfair.” This sentiment underscores the growing frustrations surrounding immigration policies that affect children born in New Zealand.

Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont, who represents Singh, criticized the decision as “inhumane.” He advocates for changes to New Zealand’s immigration laws, suggesting they should align more closely with those in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, where children automatically qualify for citizenship after living there for ten years. “Once a child has lived here from birth for a decade, they should be eligible for citizenship,” McClymont argued. “Deporting kids who have grown up here to a foreign country is incredibly cruel.”

McClymont further noted that the current legal framework fails to consider the unique circumstances of children like Singh, who cannot reasonably appeal to the Immigration Protection Tribunal within 42 days of birth.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Singh remains hopeful. “I just want to live a normal life,” he said quietly. “That’s the dream. If you were in my place, what would you do?” His plea resonates with many who advocate for the rights of children born to overstayers in New Zealand, urging that their circumstances warrant compassionate consideration in the face of strict immigration laws.

The debate over Singh’s situation continues, with advocates calling for urgent reform to ensure that children who grow up in New Zealand are afforded the rights and protections they deserve.