A plea from a British couple in Australia is making waves as they face potential deportation due to a health issue. Jessica Mathers, 30, and her partner Rob O’Leary, 31, are in the midst of a visa battle after Jessica was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The couple, who have been living in Sydney since 2017, had their bid for permanent residency rejected in 2023 over concerns about the potential cost of treating Jessica’s condition.
The uncertainty surrounding their future has left the couple feeling anxious as they await the outcome of their appeal against the decision. Despite making the most of their lives in Australia, with Rob running a successful business in carpentry and construction, their dreams are at risk of being shattered. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has yet to provide a comment on the situation.
Even with Jessica managing her MS well through regular treatment, the couple’s attempts to secure permanent residency have been thwarted by the costs associated with her medical care. Australia requires non-citizens to meet certain health requirements, including not imposing undue costs on the country’s public healthcare system. The couple, however, remains hopeful for a compassionate reconsideration of their case.
In a bid to fight their impending deportation, Jessica and Rob have lodged an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and initiated an online petition. Their plea is not for special treatment but for a fair chance to continue contributing to Australia in meaningful ways. As they face the possibility of being forced to leave the country they now call home, the couple is running out of time to hold onto the opportunities and connections they have built in Australia
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