A scary scenario; this French couple is facing deportation after years of life in Australia.
Chef Damien Pigot and his partner Sandrine Mendy moved to Tweed Heads, New South Wales, 15 years ago. Very well integrated, they even opened their coffee, 3 Sea, very popular with locals.
In 2008, Mr. Pigot made the application for permanent residence and by opening this café, he also hoped to strengthen his demand.
But 18 months into the two-year process, he was told that the law had changed and he was no longer eligible.
Three years ago, Mr. Pigot sought the advice of Kathy Bateman, a lawyer specialising in migration, who was initially optimistic.
"Where there is a legally, viably operating Australian business located in a regional area that has a genuine need for an occupation … essentially there is no reason why an application shouldn't be successful," she said to the ABC.
"[But] there has to be a benefit to Australia, and that usually means employment for Australians.
"I know that Damien made several attempts to recruit locally within the Aboriginal community as well as local schools and children to do traineeships.
"But it just didn't work out, and anyone who is in small business knows that it's tough'', still explained Bateman to the ABC.
The first time Damien Pigot came to Australia, it was in 2002.
He decided to make a living there, and it was after meeting his partner, Sandrine Mendy, that he decided to apply for permanent residence, which was refused.
The couple also sent a letter to the Department of Home Affairs requesting ministerial intervention.
A detailed letter that recounts Damien Pigot's attachment to Australia, why his visa was not granted and why he asks for a reconsideration of his case.
At Tweed Heads, Damien and Sandrine are well known, and many do not understand.
Mark, a regular customer with his wife, contacted the Tweed Daily News to express his disgust at the treatment of Mr. Pigot and Mrs. Mundy.
"These are lovely people who have become a real part of the Tweed community and have introduced cultural diversity."
"What they [the authorities] are doing to these people is just wrong."
