Australia will issue permanent visas to almost 19,000 refugees
On August 12, 2019, hundreds of protestors gathered in front of the Immigration Department buildings in Sydney, Australia. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to how many refugees' futures are uncertain as a result of Australia's decision to replace permanent protection visas with temporary ones.
As of Monday, 13 February 2023, thousands of refugees living in Australia on temporary visas will be qualified for a permanent stay under new regulations. However, Australia has reaffirmed its support for divisive border security measures.
The adjustments will apply to almost 19,000 people who entered Australia prior to the start of Operation Sovereign Borders in 2013.
Human rights organisations criticised the temporary protection and safe haven enterprise visas, which were pledged to be eliminated by the centre-left administration last year.
To keep refugees "in limbo," according to local media commentator Andrew Giles, "makes no sense."
Those given a new permanent visa will enjoy the same privileges as other Australian permanent residents. They will have access to healthcare, welfare benefits and financial help for the higher education of their children.
Like other permanent residents, they can become citizens and sponsor loved ones to immigrate to Australia after fulfilling the eligibility criteria.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation was informed by Jana Favero, director of advocacy at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, a rights group. New visas will transform lives starting on Monday.
The ability to move forward, rebuild their lives, see their families, and enjoy the permanence and safety they deserve thanks to this development is genuinely monumental in the lives of those on temporary protection visas, according to Favero.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, however, has reaffirmed the government's support for the ten-year-old border policy and both cautioned and stated that asylum seekers would not be permitted to stay if they attempted to enter Australia by boat.
The navy has been turning away or towing migrant boats seeking to enter Australian waterways as part of Operation Sovereign Borders.
Rights organisations have criticised the strategy.
According to opposition MPs, the proposed visa reforms will "enliven chances for people traffickers" and encourage more asylum seekers to attempt to go to Australia by sea.
