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Two doctors and their family facing deportation unless minister can help

Two doctors and their family are facing deportation from Australia due to their daughter's learning difficulties unless the immigration minister intervenes.

Dr Nasrin Haque and her husband Dr Shafiqul Bhuiyan had their permanent residency applications refused after their teen daughter Sumaya was found to have a "mild to moderate developmental delay".

Despite the Administrative Appeals Tribunal acknowledging Dr Haque was a "valuable asset" for the communities where she works, it found that Sumaya's condition meant that she failed visa health requirements and would be too big a burden on the taxpayer.

Under the government's "one out, all out" visa criteria for families, the western Sydney doctors and their two teenage children are facing deportation to Hungary barring an intervention by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

The doctors were originally from Bangladesh, but have previously lived in Hungary.

Dr Haque, who works as a GP in Windsor and Pitt Town in Sydney's west, told 7 News Online her daughter Sumaya was a perfectly capable teen girl and no burden.

"Sumaya does not have any physical disability or organic medical problem. Her motor skills are excellent," she said.

"She does not require any regular medical follow-ups or any community services (or) respite care, hospitalisation or institutionalisation, except that she attends a special school."

Doctors Nasrin Haque (centre) Shafiqul Bhuiyanand (front left) their two teenage children Sakir (back left) and Sumaya (right). Source: Supplied
Doctors Nasrin Haque (centre) Shafiqul Bhuiyanand (front left) their two teenage children Sakir (back left) and Sumaya (right). Source: Supplied

The Federal MP for Windsor Susan Templeman said Dr Haque was regarded as dedicated and hard working by her patients and a mother who cares for her daughter "without being a burden on taxpayers".

"It's concerning that a well-educated, highly skilled professional who is willing to live in an area where we have a need for GPs is not being welcomed into Australia," she said.

"She works in the practice next door to my office, and I know from the entire staff of her practice feel that if she is deported, patients will suffer."

Ms Templeman encouraged Mr Dutton to consider the family's appeal.

In a statement to 7 News Online, a Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesperson said the minister had "non-compellable and non-delegable" powers of public interest.


"As these powers are intended as a safety net for resolving unforeseen and compelling cases, the minister generally only intervenes in a relatively small number of cases which present unique and exceptional circumstances," the spokesperson said, adding it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The family is yet to hear anything from the department but they are facing deportation as soon as January 28 unless the Mr Dutton is able to act.

"We don't know how long we can stay. We don't know anything," Dr Haque said.

"Sumaya is in a stable Australian environment.

"The progress she has made in Australia will decline rapidly if she has been forced to return to Hungary."

The family has started a petition calling on Minister to consider their appeal.