by Luke Voogt
A five-year-old boy who suffered a stroke during birth in Geelong faces deportation with his family, according to his father.
Immigration had deemed Adyan Bin Hasan, now in kindergarten at Norlane, a “burden on the Australian taxpayer”, Dr Mahedi Hasan Bhuiyan wrote on petition website change.org.
“Due to a mild stroke that he suffered during delivery, Adyan lives with a minor disability, mainly in his left hand,” he said.
“Because of this, the government is trying to deport our entire family to Bangladesh.
“He only requires limited physiotherapy and occupational therapy services, which we pay for ourselves.
“We are afraid that if Adyan is deported to my old home of Bangladesh, his development-related therapy will stop.
“We are hardworking, self-sufficient parents who have built a life for our son in this beautiful country.”
Dr Bhuiyan came to Geelong in April 2011 to study a PhD in engineering at Deakin University, he said.
On 26 December, 2013, his wife Rebaka Sultana, previously a senior medical officer in Bangladesh, gave birth to Adyan at University Hospital Geelong, Dr Bhuiyan said.
“(He is) our own Boxing Day miracle.”
But months later abnormal head growth led to tests that revealed Adyan had suffered a previously-undiagnosed mild stroke in the right side of his brain at birth, Dr Bhuiyan said.
At the completion of his studies in February 2016 Dr Bhuiyan made a family application for skilled permanent residency, he said.
His wife was preparing for an Australian Medical Council examination to become a registered GP, he added.
But Department of Immigration and Border Protection refused as the Medical Officer of Commonwealth deemed Adyan “a burden on the Australian taxpayer” to Dr Bhuiyan’s “utmost surprise”.
Dr Bhuiyan has made a desperate plea to Immigration Minister David Coleman for intervention as a “final hope” for his family.
Adyan’s specialist said he was developing like any normal child and his left hand function was improving, Dr Bhuiyan said.
“Adyan loves to run, jump and play like any other five-year-old carefree kid.”
His kindergarten teachers described him as a happy and delightful child.
The Indy understands the kindergarten has also written to the Immigration Minister. The Indy contacted Mr Coleman’s office, which did not respond before deadline.
