After 13 years of uncertainty, Deva and his family are finally permanent residents of Australia.
Deva and his wife, Nila, grew up in a refugee camp in India, where they married and raised two children. When they attempted to return to Sri Lanka, they faced persecution and harassment. In 2012, they came to Australia seeking safety and a secure future for their family.
What followed were years of instability. Without legal assistance, their protection visa applications and appeals were unsuccessful. The family remained on short-term bridging visas that required constant renewal. The uncertainty was exhausting, especially while supporting their son’s ongoing medical and mental health needs, and as Nila received counselling to manage her own mental health.
In 2024, there was a moment of hope when their Australian-born daughter, Mary, became a citizen with RAILS’ assistance. But the rest of the family’s future remained uncertain.
RAILS continued to stand beside the family, helping renew their short-term visas month after month, pursuing every available legal pathway, and connecting them with wrap-around support through the ASRA Consortium, including housing, emergency relief, healthcare and employment assistance.
After two unsuccessful Ministerial Intervention requests, a third attempt in 2025 succeeded. The Minister granted the family permission to apply for permanent Resolution of Status visas. Just four months after we helped them to lodge those applications, their visas were granted.
The effect of attaining permanent residence after so long is literally life-changing for Deva and his family. After more than a decade of waiting, they can now plan their future with confidence. We warmly wish them well as they begin this new chapter, rebuilding their lives with stability, investing in their future, and contributing fully to the community. We look forward to seeing their lives flourish and to hearing how their journey continues.
