Health fears for overstayers
Advocates are calling for clear communications from officials that overstayers in need after the Auckland floods will not face consequences if they come forward for help.
There are fears some are living in dangerous conditions, rather than going to authorities and risking deportation.
The Green Party’s immigration spokesperson, Ricardo Mene´ndez March, said migrant organisations had told him some overstayers ‘‘have been quite scared of reaching out, even if they are in need’’.
He understood that generally, emergency management staff were not checking people’s immigration status for situations such as emergency accommodation, however ‘‘that matters very little’’ if there were no reassurances that information would not be passed on ‘‘and that people are welcome and there will be no consequences’’.
‘‘It needs to come from the Minister (of Immigration Michael Wood) or the agency. With overstayers there’s a big gap in terms of reassurance and consideration of direct government support.’’
He said there was a huge level of confusion around what overstayers could access and if they would be safe accessing it, while many were relying solely on charitable support.
Anu Kaloti of the Migrant Workers’ Association said that during times of need, those without a visa, ‘‘or people we call ‘overstayers’ tend to suffer the most because they are fearful coming forward’’.
‘‘They are fearful if they go to places of authority that information may lead to Immigration New Zealand and they may be deported and sent back in conditions that are not good for them.
‘‘We have seen that again with the Auckland flood.’’
Kaloti said it was important that the Government provided outright assurance to overstayers that their information and data would not be passed on.
‘‘The Government needs to clearly state that help is available for all victims regardless for their immigration status.
‘‘Some people are continuing to live in flooded homes. Add on the rotting of household goods and potentially sewage in the water, it makes for extremely dangerous conditions.
‘‘Right now victims need help.’’ Graham Allpress of the Ministry of Social Development encouraged ‘‘anyone who needs assistance and who is worried about their visa status to come into one of the Civil Defence centres set up in Auckland for help’’.
‘‘Those staffing welfare centres are not there to gather information for Immigration purposes.’’
He said the centres could also connect people with a range of community providers who could help, irrespective of visa status.
‘‘We would encourage individuals and whānau who are in New Zealand with an expired visa to talk to Immigration New Zealand about their options.
‘‘Civil Defence payments do require a valid visa.’’
Many community organisations are under pressure, given the flood had a major impact on those on lower incomes.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on RNZ that he intended to look into calls for pathways to residence for Pasifika overstayers on grounds of compassion.
Kaloti said the ‘‘ultimate solution is to give that amnesty, give it sooner than later’’.