Disabled Children Belong Here: Let Galel Call Aotearoa Home with His Family

Associate Minister of Immigration and the House of Representatives

The banner has three images of Galel. In the first image, he's smiling while he holds a worksheet he completed to show the first letter or the 'beginning sound' for different animals. The worksheet has pictures of each animal face: pig, cat, dog, mouse, rabbit (in order). The second image shows Galel standing in church with his mom, brother and dad (from left to right). Galel is leaning his head against his mom's shoulder. Galel's brother is wearing headphones around his neck. The whole family is wearing matching red shirts. The church poster above them says: "3rd Founding Anniversary. Standing Firm in Hope. Jesus is faithful forever. Hebrews 10:23. Guest Speaker Pastor Mark Hillman." There are two steps leading to a keyboard and music stands behind the family. The third banner image is a close up of Galel's mom, Galel's brother, and Galel (from left to right). They are all smiling. Galel's hand is touching his brother's chin. There is a big tree behind them, and a garden gazebo roof above them. Everyone in Galel's Filipino family has brown skin, brown eyes, and black hair.

We request that Galel Nicolas is granted a student visa to continue to live lawfully with his family in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes the Immigration and Protection Tribunal upholding Galel's humanitarian appeal against deportation and the Associate Minister of Immigration granting Galel an exemption from the Acceptable Standard of Health requirements.

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A warm and welcoming Aotearoa would not separate an immigrant family because one member has a disability. This September, Galel Nicolas was told to leave his family to return to the Philippines. His Autism diagnosis means he doesn't meet the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) immigration requirements. Galel is only nine years old.

Galel arrived with a temporary visitor visa when his Filipino family settled in Winton, Southland in 2024. His parents work full time, and they have relatives in Aotearoa. While his older brother is thriving in school, Galel has never been allowed a New Zealand education because ASH calls support needs financial burdens. The Nicolas family still built a life and community where Galel belongs. Galel belongs for who he is, not for what he does or doesn't cost.

Galel's mother Glaiza says: “He truly is a blessing to our family, after a day's work, a kiss and a hug from him make me feel rested."

"Galel is a happy kid, he is very sweet and loves it when his kuya (big brother) is around. He loves playing with him. Galel’s hobby is watching his favourite movie 'Cars', his dad bought him the characters from the movie and he always plays with them. He is a loving member of our family."

Galel is far from the ‘burden’ ASH makes him out to be. ASH burdens families like Galel's with unjust expenses and distress while they fight for belonging. Let's show the Nicolas family that Aotearoa supports them.

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MAASHA will continue to systemically advocate that Parliament abolish the discriminatory Acceptable Standards of Health (ASH) immigration requirements and uphold the human rights of migrants with disabilities and health conditions.

In the meantime, disabled children should not be targeted for deportation or be prevented from their right to receive an education.

Please sign to tell the IPT and Associate Minister that Galel must be allowed to stay lawfully with his family in Aotearoa.



To: Associate Minister of Immigration and the House of Representatives
From: [Your Name]

We request that Galel Nicolas is granted a student visa to continue to live lawfully with his family in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes the Immigration and Protection Tribunal upholding Galel's humanitarian appeal against deportation and the Associate Minister of Immigration granting Galel an exemption from the Acceptable Standard of Health requirements.

…

A warm and welcoming Aotearoa would not separate an immigrant family because one member has a disability. This September, Galel Nicolas was told to leave his family to return to the Philippines. His Autism diagnosis means he doesn't meet the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) immigration requirements. Galel is only nine years old.

Galel arrived with a temporary visitor visa when his Filipino family settled in Winton, Southland in 2024. His parents work full time, and they have relatives in Aotearoa. While his older brother is thriving in school, Galel has never been allowed a New Zealand education because ASH calls support needs financial burdens. The Nicolas family still built a life and community where Galel belongs. Galel belongs for who he is, not for what he does or doesn't cost.

Galel's mother Glaiza says: “He truly is a blessing to our family, after a day's work, a kiss and a hug from him make me feel rested."

"Galel is a happy kid, he is very sweet and loves it when his kuya (big brother) is around. He loves playing with him. Galel’s hobby is watching his favourite movie 'Cars', his dad bought him the characters from the movie and he always plays with them. He is a loving member of our family."

Galel is far from the ‘burden’ ASH makes him out to be. ASH burdens families like Galel's with unjust expenses and distress while they fight for belonging. Let's show the Nicolas family that Aotearoa supports them.

…

MAASHA will continue to systemically advocate that Parliament abolish the discriminatory Acceptable Standards of Health (ASH) immigration requirements and uphold the human rights of migrants with disabilities and health conditions.

In the meantime, disabled children should not be targeted for deportation or be prevented from their right to receive an education.
Please sign to tell the IPT and Associate Minister that Galel must be allowed to stay lawfully with his family in Aotearoa.