A Sydney family that has lived in Australia for 20 years is set to be deported in just weeks because, they believe, the government sees their disabled daughter as a “burden”.
Vanni and Elisa Donagemma and daughter Bendetta, who is 18, are Italian citizens and are set to be forced out of the country they’ve called home for two decades in mid-March.
They say the Immigration Department “red flagged” their daughter because she has a rare chromosome-based disability and it fears Australia may have to fund her care.
‘Burden”
But the family have rubbished the idea, saying that Bendetta needs no medical supervision.
“She doesn’t have any medical requirements in terms of therapy. She’s just non-verbal with a development delay,” said Mr Donagemma on Channel 9’s A Current Affair.
“She doesn’t have any kind of medication; she doesn’t go to hospital; she sees doctors just like a normal child,” said Mrs Donagemma.
“We can’t see how the government can say she is a burden on the healthcare system?”
The couple have four other children who have grown up in Australia, all high achieving and one of whom has competed at ice skating for Australia.
It’s particularly hard on Matteo, who is Bendetta’s twin.
“I like to think that I got a nine-month head start to get to know her before everyone else.
“If she was removed from my life, it’s actually be really, really devastating.”
Visa issues
Dad Vanni is a geologist. He came to live and work in Australia two decades ago when he landed a job in the oil and gas industry.
He was granted a working visa which meant his wife could also live in Australia.
As neither Australians nor permanent residents, the Donagemmas have had to pay their way forking out for any medical bills and education for their children as well as taxes.
Mr Donagemma’s career flourished. But when the pandemic hit his employer let him go which meant that time was ticking on his visa.
If a visa is tied to work, in most circumstances it means the visa holder has to either find another job. move to another visa they are eligible for or depart the country, the same for any dependants linked to that visa.
As four of their children are on student visas, they will all be able to remain in Australia even if their mum, dad and Bendetta are forced to leave. At least for now.
“It has been very difficult to find another job in Australia,” Mr Donagemma.
“It is a highly skilled career and I have been telling the government I have been trying.”
With his visa unable to be renewed due to a lack of work, the Immigration Department have decided to split the family up, divide mum and dad from four of their five kids, and send a happy young woman who has never lived anywhere else but Australia to Italy.
The only way the Donagemmas can stay together is if the Immigration Department has a change of heart or he can find another suitable job.
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate and love Australia,” said Mr Donagemma.
Daughter Chiara has represented Australia at four ice skating World Championships and her bedroom is decorated with ribbons and medals.
Son Darya is a qualified chef. “It honestly hurts me the fact that a family like us has to be in the situation where we’re forced to be separated from my sister,” he told journalist Brady Halls.
His brother Francesco is studying mechanical engineering.
“All we want to do is try and make a life for ourselves. It’s as simple as that. And we’re not afraid of putting in the hard work.”
Bendetta loves singing, trampolining and playing in the garden. But most of all she loves being with her family, having fun.
Tears falling., twin brother Matteo railed against being split up from his sister.
“It breaks my heart when people says he is a burden”.