Eighteen-year-old Navjot Singh has never known another home but New Zealand. Born and raised in Auckland, he speaks with a Kiwi accent, has local friends, and has never set foot outside the country. Yet, this week, the government ordered his deportation to India -- a country he has never visited and whose language he does not speak, The Times of India reported on October 21.
Navjot’s predicament is the result of a law that quietly ended birthright citizenship in New Zealand nearly two decades ago. The rule states that children born in the country after 2006 to parents without lawful immigration status are not recognised as citizens. In Navjot’s case, his parents, Indian nationals, had overstayed their visas long before his birth.
His father was deported just five days after he was born. His mother, who stayed behind, lost her legal status in 2012 when Navjot was five. Since then, he has lived in New Zealand without access to basic rights -- unable to legally attend school, access healthcare or build a future.
“I was eight when I found out I don’t belong here,” he told local media. “All my friends go to school, talk about what they want to be. I don’t even have that.”
Despite being born and socialised entirely in New Zealand, Navjot remains stateless. His appeal for residency through ministerial intervention was recently rejected by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont, who represents Navjot, called the decision “inhumane.” He argued that New Zealand’s immigration framework lacks compassion for children raised in the country through no fault of their own.
“It makes no sense to deport children who have grown up here to a foreign country,” McClymont said. He urged the government to reform its policies, aligning them with those of countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, where children born and raised locally can acquire citizenship after ten years of residence.
Community leaders have also rallied in support of Navjot. Daljit Singh, president of the Supreme Sikh Society, said the case has caused deep concern within the Indian-origin community in New Zealand. “He was born here and is part of our community,” Daljit said. “Sending him away is like tearing apart a family that’s already been broken.”
For Navjot, the prospect of deportation is terrifying. He says he fears being sent to a country where he has no family ties, no education and no understanding of the language or culture. “I’ve heard even people with degrees can’t find jobs there,” he told RNZ. “I’ve never even gone to school. How will I survive?”
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told RNZ that there are currently no policy discussions underway to reconsider the status of people born in New Zealand after 2006 to parents without legal immigration status. However, such cases can still be reviewed individually by the Immigration Protection Tribunal or through ministerial discretion.
Navjot’s case has reignited debate over New Zealand’s citizenship laws and their unintended social consequences. While the 2006 reform aimed to curb visa overstays and “birth tourism,” critics say it has instead created a generation of young people trapped in legal limbo — born in New Zealand but belonging nowhere.
Navjot’s predicament is the result of a law that quietly ended birthright citizenship in New Zealand nearly two decades ago. The rule states that children born in the country after 2006 to parents without lawful immigration status are not recognised as citizens. In Navjot’s case, his parents, Indian nationals, had overstayed their visas long before his birth.
His father was deported just five days after he was born. His mother, who stayed behind, lost her legal status in 2012 when Navjot was five. Since then, he has lived in New Zealand without access to basic rights -- unable to legally attend school, access healthcare or build a future.
“I was eight when I found out I don’t belong here,” he told local media. “All my friends go to school, talk about what they want to be. I don’t even have that.”
Despite being born and socialised entirely in New Zealand, Navjot remains stateless. His appeal for residency through ministerial intervention was recently rejected by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont, who represents Navjot, called the decision “inhumane.” He argued that New Zealand’s immigration framework lacks compassion for children raised in the country through no fault of their own.
“It makes no sense to deport children who have grown up here to a foreign country,” McClymont said. He urged the government to reform its policies, aligning them with those of countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, where children born and raised locally can acquire citizenship after ten years of residence.
Community leaders have also rallied in support of Navjot. Daljit Singh, president of the Supreme Sikh Society, said the case has caused deep concern within the Indian-origin community in New Zealand. “He was born here and is part of our community,” Daljit said. “Sending him away is like tearing apart a family that’s already been broken.”
For Navjot, the prospect of deportation is terrifying. He says he fears being sent to a country where he has no family ties, no education and no understanding of the language or culture. “I’ve heard even people with degrees can’t find jobs there,” he told RNZ. “I’ve never even gone to school. How will I survive?”
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told RNZ that there are currently no policy discussions underway to reconsider the status of people born in New Zealand after 2006 to parents without legal immigration status. However, such cases can still be reviewed individually by the Immigration Protection Tribunal or through ministerial discretion.
Navjot’s case has reignited debate over New Zealand’s citizenship laws and their unintended social consequences. While the 2006 reform aimed to curb visa overstays and “birth tourism,” critics say it has instead created a generation of young people trapped in legal limbo — born in New Zealand but belonging nowhere.
You may also like
UDAN serves over 1.56 crore passengers via 3.23 lakh flights: Govt
Delhi BJP chief hails marginal impact of Diwali crackers on air quality
'Aggression against Afghanistan has harmed Pakistan's own security and future'
Durgapur gangrape case: Statements of two of six accused recorded
Select Committee on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill invites suggestions
