Lana, a refugee who spent years detained on Nauru, finally found stability in Australia—only to now face the unthinkable: being sent back to the Iran she fled.
Her story highlights the ongoing struggles of asylum seekers caught in Australia's strict immigration policies. After enduring the harsh conditions of offshore processing, Lana was granted temporary residency in Australia, where she rebuilt her life. But with her visa under review, the threat of deportation looms large.
From Desperation to Hope
Lana arrived in Australia after escaping persecution in Iran, only to be transferred to Nauru as part of the country's offshore detention program. For years, she lived in limbo, uncertain of her future. "I had no choice but to leave Iran," she says. "But Nauru was another kind of hell."
A Fragile New Life
After years of advocacy, Lana was allowed to settle in Australia on a temporary visa. She found work, made friends, and began to heal. "Australia gave me a chance," she explains. "But now they want to take it away."
The Threat of Return
With her visa status under scrutiny, Lana faces the terrifying prospect of being sent back to Iran—a country where she fears for her safety. Advocates argue that forcing her to return would violate international human rights laws. "What choice have I got?" Lana asks. "I can't go back."
Her case underscores the broader challenges faced by refugees in Australia's immigration system, where even those who have built lives in the country remain vulnerable to sudden policy shifts.
