My name is Marciano De Castro Gregori. I immigrated to New Zealand from Brazil in May 2022 to build a better future for my family. In December 2022, my wife and I brought our two children, Sophia and our older son, to join me here. We’ve worked hard, built a new life, and proudly contribute to New Zealand’s economy and society. Our son is thriving in school, making friends, and becoming part of the community we now call home.
But now Immigration New Zealand has declined Sophia’s student visa — not because of anything she or we did wrong, but because she has been diagnosed with autism level 3. Sophia is five years old. She is non-verbal and still needs daily care, yet she is bright, self-aware, and learning every day. Since receiving her diagnosis here, she has made remarkable progress thanks to New Zealand’s excellent healthcare and education support.
Instead of recognising her potential, Immigration New Zealand has labelled Sophia a “cost.” They refused to assess her as an individual. They refused to consider a medical waiver. They treated her as a statistic — not a little girl, not a daughter, not a human being.
Why Sophia should be allowed to stay
New Zealand’s international commitments: Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New Zealand has pledged to protect the rights of children and people with disabilities. Deporting Sophia would break these commitments.
Sophia’s best interests: Returning her to Brazil would deprive her of the specialised care and education she needs. The support she has in New Zealand simply isn’t available there. Her quality of life — and her future — would be severely harmed.
Impact on the whole family: Uprooting Sophia would tear apart a family that is already fully integrated into New Zealand society. Her brother, who is thriving in school and community life, would also suffer from being forced to leave his friends, teachers, and new home.
The need for fairer policy: The current “Acceptable Standard of Health” policy is outdated and discriminatory. Families like ours invest time, money, and love to build a future here, only to be punished when a child receives a medical diagnosis. Immigration policy must reflect compassion, not fear of cost.
Our call to action
We urge the Honourable Associate Minister of Immigration to:
1. Grant an exemption for Sophia, allowing her to remain in New Zealand with her family.
2. Reform the Acceptable Standard of Health policy so no child is unfairly judged as a “burden” because of disability or medical needs.
Sophia is not a statistic. She is a child who belongs here — in a country that values fairness, inclusion, and human dignity. Her brother, her parents, and her future all depend on New Zealand standing by those values.
Please sign this petition to help Sophia and her family stay in New Zealand — and to stand up for a kinder, more inclusive immigration system.
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Meu nome é Marciano De Castro Gregori. Emigrei do Brasil para a Nova Zelândia em maio de 2022 para construir um futuro melhor para minha família. Em dezembro de 2022, minha esposa e eu trouxemos nossos dois filhos, Sophia e nosso filho mais velho, para se juntarem a mim aqui. Trabalhamos duro, construímos uma nova vida e contribuímos com orgulho para a economia e a sociedade da Nova Zelândia. Nosso filho está se saindo muito bem na escola, fazendo amigos e se integrando à comunidade que agora chamamos de lar.
Mas agora a Imigração da Nova Zelândia negou o visto de estudante da Sophia — não por algo que ela ou nós tenhamos feito de errado, mas porque ela foi diagnosticada com autismo nível 3. Sophia tem cinco anos. Ela não fala e ainda precisa de cuidados diários, mas é inteligente, consciente de si mesma e aprende mais a cada dia. Desde que recebeu o diagnóstico aqui, ela fez progressos notáveis graças ao excelente atendimento de saúde e ao suporte educacional da Nova Zelândia.
Em vez de reconhecer seu potencial, a Imigração da Nova Zelândia rotulou Sophia como um “custo.” Recusaram-se a avaliá-la individualmente. Recusaram-se a considerar uma dispensa médica. Trataram-na como uma estatística — não como uma garotinha, não como uma filha, não como um ser humano.
Por que Sophia deve permanecer na Nova Zelândia
Compromissos internacionais da Nova Zelândia: De acordo com a Convenção da ONU sobre os Direitos da Criança e a Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência, a Nova Zelândia assumiu o compromisso de proteger os direitos de crianças e pessoas com deficiência. Deportar Sophia violaria esses compromissos.
O melhor interesse de Sophia: Levá-la de volta ao Brasil significaria privá-la do cuidado especializado e do apoio educacional de que necessita. O suporte que ela tem na Nova Zelândia simplesmente não está disponível no Brasil. Sua qualidade de vida — e seu futuro — seriam gravemente prejudicados.
Impacto em toda a família: Arrancar Sophia da Nova Zelândia destruiria uma família já totalmente integrada à sociedade neozelandesa. Seu irmão, que está se destacando na escola e na comunidade, também sofreria ao ser forçado a deixar seus amigos, professores e novo lar.
A necessidade de uma política mais justa: A atual política do “Padrão Aceitável de Saúde” está desatualizada e é discriminatória. Famílias como a nossa investem tempo, dinheiro e amor para construir um futuro aqui, apenas para serem punidas quando uma criança recebe um diagnóstico médico. A política de imigração precisa refletir compaixão, não medo de custos.
Nosso apelo à ação
Pedimos ao Honorável Ministro Associado da Imigração que:
1. Conceda uma isenção para Sophia, permitindo que ela permaneça na Nova Zelândia com sua família.
2. Reforme a política do Padrão Aceitável de Saúde para que nenhuma criança seja injustamente tratada como um “fardo” por causa de deficiência ou necessidades médicas.
Sophia não é uma estatística. Ela é uma criança que pertence a este país — um país que valoriza justiça, inclusão e dignidade humana. Seu irmão, seus pais e seu futuro dependem de a Nova Zelândia manter esses valores.
Por favor, assine esta petição para ajudar Sophia e sua família a permanecerem na Nova Zelândia — e para defender um sistema de imigração mais justo e humano.
To:
Hon Chris Penk, Associate Minister of Immigration
From:
[Your Name]
My name is Marciano De Castro Gregori. I immigrated to New Zealand from Brazil in May 2022 to build a better future for my family. In December 2022, my wife and I brought our two children, Sophia and our older son, to join me here. We’ve worked hard, built a new life, and proudly contribute to New Zealand’s economy and society. Our son is thriving in school, making friends, and becoming part of the community we now call home.
But now Immigration New Zealand has declined Sophia’s student visa — not because of anything she or we did wrong, but because she has been diagnosed with autism level 3. Sophia is five years old. She is non-verbal and still needs daily care, yet she is bright, self-aware, and learning every day. Since receiving her diagnosis here, she has made remarkable progress thanks to New Zealand’s excellent healthcare and education support.
Instead of recognising her potential, Immigration New Zealand has labelled Sophia a “cost.” They refused to assess her as an individual. They refused to consider a medical waiver. They treated her as a statistic — not a little girl, not a daughter, not a human being.
Why Sophia should be allowed to stay
New Zealand’s international commitments: Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New Zealand has pledged to protect the rights of children and people with disabilities. Deporting Sophia would break these commitments.
Sophia’s best interests: Returning her to Brazil would deprive her of the specialised care and education she needs. The support she has in New Zealand simply isn’t available there. Her quality of life — and her future — would be severely harmed.
Impact on the whole family: Uprooting Sophia would tear apart a family that is already fully integrated into New Zealand society. Her brother, who is thriving in school and community life, would also suffer from being forced to leave his friends, teachers, and new home.
The need for fairer policy: The current “Acceptable Standard of Health” policy is outdated and discriminatory. Families like ours invest time, money, and love to build a future here, only to be punished when a child receives a medical diagnosis. Immigration policy must reflect compassion, not fear of cost.
Our call to action
We urge the Honourable Associate Minister of Immigration to:
1. Grant an exemption to the ASH requirements for Sophia, allowing her to remain in New Zealand with her family.
2. End the Acceptable Standard of Health policy so no child is unfairly judged as a “burden” because of disability or medical needs.
Sophia is not a statistic. She is a child who belongs here — in a country that values fairness, inclusion, and human dignity. Her brother, her parents, and her future all depend on New Zealand standing by those values.
Please sign this petition to help Sophia and her family stay in New Zealand — and to stand up for a kinder, more inclusive immigration system.
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