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A Must-Win Battle
Mr. Hsieh is a classic Taiwan business success story. With his credentials, any country would welcome him as an immigrant. Two years ago his application to immigrate to Australia was
rejected by Australian immigration authorities. The reason cited for the rejection was his daughter's health.
When the Hsiehs' daughter was born, there were complications
in the delivery resulting in temporary oxygen deprivation and causing a slight loss of motor control and function compared with other children her age. She walks unsteadily. Australian
immigration authorities were concerned that medical care for the child would be a burden on the Australian community if the Hsiehs were admitted as immigrants and their application was
rejected. On the surface, it seems reasonable. But the Hsieh's long-cherished dreams of establishing themselves in business in Australia were shattered. Worst of all, the cold indifference
shown their daughter left them with the bitter aftertaste of discrimination.
That's when mutual friends introduced the Hsiehs to Fastlane.
This is clearly an extremely difficult case but after reviewing the facts, Fastlane intuitively determined that this was a battle that must be fought and must be won. It was just going to take
dedication and determination to fight it. After internal consultation, Fastlane reached a preliminary judgment:
1. Based upon Western countries' promotion of and adherence to
humanitarian causes, the decision of the Australian immigration authority was unfair and unjust.
2. Through the unceasing efforts of the parents and long-term
professional physical therapy, the girl's cognitive and physical capabilities are now nearly on a par for average children of her age. She requires no special care and can lead the life of an ordinary child.
On the basis of these core beliefs, we began writing letters. Like human rights attorneys, the Fastlane team rehashed the merits of the case over and over again, carefully weighing each word in its
appeals to Australian immigration officials for a more sympathetic, fair and humanitarian ruling.
A child with a handicap is not necessarily an impediment to the
parents' career, we told them. Indeed, sometimes such a child is the impetus for the parents to create a new life. The son of Nobel Prize-winning Japanese author Dajiang Jiansanlang was born
with a severe mental disability. Representative works from his early years were all written because he had to care for his son.
We then obtained many doctors' affidavit attesting to the ability
of the Hsiehs' beloved daughter to lead a healthy, fruitful life. Some ten letters later, we had finally persuaded the authorities to permit the Hsiehs to immigrate to Australia. They are very
happy with their new lives in Australia and Mr. Hsieh's business continues to improve. Under Australia's well-developed social welfare system, which makes care of the minors a priority, their
daughter leads a happier, more dignified life.
It was while handling that case that I discovered the tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction working in the
immigration services industry could bring. It has always been Fastlane's philosophy that honor precludes giving up and we see things through to the very end in securing our clients interests.
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