The New Zealand government is preparing to deport 18-year-old Navjot Singh, whose parents were Indian nationals who had overstayed their visas. Navjot, who was born and raised in New Zealand and has never left the country, is being deported under current immigration laws. His father was deported when he was just five days old, and his mother lost her legal status five years later.
Navjot learned about his precarious situation at the age of eight, realizing he would not have access to basic rights like education and healthcare in New Zealand. He now faces the daunting prospect of returning to India, a country where he doesn’t speak the language and has no connections. “I don’t think I’ll survive in India,” he expressed, adding, “I don’t speak Hindi. I’ve heard that people with higher qualifications can’t find jobs there, so what would I do?”
This decision follows a recent law change in New Zealand that ended birthright citizenship. The law stipulates that individuals born in New Zealand after 2006 to parents without lawful immigration status are not considered legal residents. The government has stated that Navjot Singh lacks legal status in the country, despite being born and raised there.
‘Inhumane’ Treatment Criticized
Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont, representing Navjot, described the situation as “incredibly inhumane” and urged New Zealand to reconsider its approach to children of overstayers. He suggested that New Zealand should adopt policies similar to Australia and the United Kingdom, where long-term resident children are granted citizenship, which would resolve such issues.
McClymont noted that while ministerial requests or the immigration protection tribunal are avenues for such cases, they are impractical for someone born stateless. The appeal period, he pointed out, is only 42 days, making it impossible for a newborn to lodge an appeal.
Community Support
The Supreme Sikh society of New Zealand has offered its support to Navjot Singh. Its president expressed dismay that Navjot had never attended school and emphasized that he is a part of New Zealand’s community. He questioned the harm such children could bring to the country and stressed that they shouldn’t be punished for circumstances beyond their control.
A spokesperson for the immigration minister stated that while no policy changes are currently being considered for those born after 2006 to parents without legal status, individual cases can be reviewed through the Immigration Protection Tribunal or ministerial intervention.