Waiting in immigration limbo while crim gets in
A couple were angered to learn a convicted Czech criminal was given residency while they have been waiting in immigration limbo for nearly six years.
Andrew and Fiona Surridge came to New Zealand about six years ago from Britain to help their daughter, Sam O’Keefe, look after her five children. The family moved from Invercargill to Timaru about a year ago. The couple have been trying for residency for five years – at a cost of $2000 each time – but continue to be given the same response every year: accepted for one year.
Andrew, who works fulltime as a fuel tanker driver – a role on the Canterbury skills shortage list – said he was baffled by the decision to grant convicted Czech criminal Karel Sroubek residency. Sroubek entered the country on a false passport, but in September Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway granted him residency under his real name and removed the possibility to have him deported.
‘‘It’s an insult that [Immigration NZ] could act in what seems to be such a cavalier manner, when we’ve had to undergo so much stress. All we want is permanent residency, and see our grandchildren grow up.’’
Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon has given his support to the Surridge family.
‘‘In recent months I’ve worked on more than 120 immigration cases. Almost all of them involve people who are deeply embedded in our community, people who are contributing to making our region a prosperous and vibrant place to live,’’ Falloon said. ‘‘Unfortunately many of their applications have been turned down by the Government and some of them have had to leave New Zealand after many years of living here . . . When Andy retires, he’s due a full UK pension.’’
Falloon said he wrote to Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi in May to make their case for residency, but it was declined by the Government.
‘‘Instead . . . the Government has offered residency to . . . a convicted drug-smuggler who entered New Zealand illegally on a false passport.’’