A man who had spent decades in Australia was deported to the UK after his visa was revoked due to his drug conviction. His family was not permitted to see him before he was taken away.
In 2019, Stephen Pokrzywka was sentenced to six years in prison for trying to sell methylamphetamine.
It was his only time in custody, and the parole board suggested that he be released in February.
Under Australia’s migration legislation people who are not citizens of the country could lose their visas if they’re convicted of a crime.
He was then sent to a detention center in Yongah Hill. He had been in Australia since he was 12 years old, and he claimed he was not a British citizen.
He also said he had no idea he was supposed to apply for citizenship.
On Tuesday, he asked a court to allow him to stay in Australia to look after his daughter, who is 12 years old.
However, the court rejected his appeal. He said he was worried about his future in the UK since he only visited there once when he was a child.
His sister said that he was a responsible individual who values his family.
He was sad about being deported, but he also wanted to look after his parents.
She said that it was not right for him to be separated from his family.