Rally to stop deportation

The Bunbury community has rallied behind a family’s quest to stop its youngest member from being deported in an inspiring and vocal march through the CBD at the weekend.

More than 300 people gathered on Saturday in support of Kayban, a three-year-old who is facing deportation because of his disability.

Kayban’s parents, Shizleen Aishath and Jamshaad, have been locked in a legal battle to stop their son from being deported after he was refused a visa.

Kayban has severe haemophilia — a bleeding disorder which stops blood clotting — along with an acquired brain injury which occurred when he was born in Bunbury.

A campaign centred on the hashtag #saveKayban has gained global momentum and culminated with the vocal march at the weekend when Shizleen said the family had been overwhelmed with support.

“It was amazing, I guess it was a reiteration of the love that we’ve felt throughout but just to see it, you can’t describe it,” Shizleen told the South Western Times.

“There was just such an energy there, it was great to be a part of it, regardless of how or why we had to do it.”

An online petition is also evidence of support to keep Kayban in the country with more than 21,000 signatures so far.

After taking their case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal months ago, the family finally has a hearing on August 29.

Shizleen said it had been an exhausting fight for the family.

“But that’s OK, that’s just how things are going but it’s moving, we just need to keep doing what we need to do and make sure that we keep going,” she said.

“As far I know politicians that have been involved are working at different levels in their capacity to try and see how they can help.”

Forrest MHR Nola Marino said she understood the difficulties.

“Especially with the process that is under way ... I have met with the family and made representations on their behalf to Immigration Minister David Coleman,” Mrs Marino said.

Shizleen said she was grateful and overwhelmed by the support.

“They’ve basically been the little hands in our back that’s pushed us across and just to know the amount of well wishes and the love and support that Kayban’s got in the community, and we’ve got in the community, it just gives you that little bit of extra energy,” she said.

“I suppose it also reiterates that belief in knowing that what we’re doing is right, to be honest.”