The Shchetkova petition

The Herald reports:

A Ukrainian family facing deportation once their work visa expires in July have received an influx of support from MPs and the public.

Nataliya Shchetkova, her husband Alex Derecha, and their five children, face an uncertain future after Immigration New Zealand’s decision to deny the family residency because it does not believe their business adds significant benefit to New Zealand.

The family run Auckland restaurant La Vista which had a turnover of $1.6 million last year and employs 26 staff – 17 of whom are full-time.

Since the Herald shared their story this time last week, the family have received an influx of support from members of the public, MPs and Act Party leader David Seymour.

A petition has been launched and backed by Seymour, asking Parliament to urge the Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway and Associate Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi to grant them residency by special direction.

The petition has received almost 10,000 signatures of support in two days.

Silly Ukrainians. They set up a legal business that employs 26 New Zealanders. No wonder they are being deported. They should have set up a drug importing business, and then not only would they not be deported, but the Minister would give them residency also.