Act now for refugees like Atena
Atena fled Iran with her family over a decade ago.
After months in detention, they were released into the Australian community but with little support. As a young teenager, Atena spent countless hours translating important documents for her parents and talking to immigration lawyers.
Atena earned a scholarship to attend university in Australia. However, she was forced to turn down the offer, as her and her family’s bridging visas prevented Atena from accessing higher education.
They spent years meeting with politicians to resolve the issue. Atena even offered to pay her university fees in full but was warned that doing so could lead to deportation due to strict visa conditions.
Atena’s story highlights the urgent need to reform the policies and programs aimed at refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. Our laws define the way we live and reflect who we are. By lobbying for change, we can positively reform the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum.