SA couple beg Australia for protection visa over 'death sentence' return
They've even gone as far as to call returning home a 'death sentence'.
Their pleas come as many white South Africans, and those of racial minorities, have been invited to apply for the refugee resettlement programme in the US, under President Donald Trump's Executive Order.
In 2018, Charné-Lee Gunning and Ivan Strauss arrived in Sydney, Australia, as visitors. They applied for protection visas but were denied. They've since appealed the decision.
Speaking to Sky News, Estimating Manager Charné-Lee said of her adoptive country: 'We feel at home here. We feel safe. I can't begin to explain how grateful we are for the few years we've had'.
Charné-Lee and Ivan – an air conditioning technician – claim that they both were victims of violent crimes, implied on the basis of their race, in South Africa. They are awaiting news on whether they will be granted protection visas and, ultimately, permanent residency.
'I feel like that would be our death sentence. Especially with what is going on in South Africa at the moment', the South African woman added.
If their protection visas are declined, they would be given 35 days to return home.
According to authorities, the couple could seek another avenue of staying in Australia. This includes the 482 Visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa, which permits employers to hire overseas workers based on their skills.
An Australian protection visa is granted to individuals who claim they are at risk of harm and persecution in their country of birth.
Applicants, classified as 'refugees', must prove that their fears are legitimately based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group.
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, applicants must also prove the following: There is no safe area in your country
There is no other safe country in which you can live,
You haven't committed any serious crimes.
Under the protection visa, applicants can live, work, and study in Australia. They are also permitted to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence through the offshore Humanitarian Program.
Like the US refugee resettlement programme, there are conditions, such as being refused a protection order if you intend to travel to your home country, even to visit family members.
If you are granted a protection visa, you will not be able to travel to the country you have sought protection from without permission from the Australian Government. You will need permission even if your family lives there.
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