The Green Party strongly opposes tightened visa access.
The New Zealand Government's decision to restrict visas for disabled children has sparked outrage from the Green Party, who claim it is a breach of human rights and international commitments. According to Ricardo Menéndez March, Immigration Spokesperson for the party, "Disability should not be a barrier for migrant families wanting to come to Aotearoa." He accuses Minister Erica Stanford of showing disregard for the rights of disabled migrants.
In 2022, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities identified similar immigration policies as discriminatory and called for their abolition. The Green Party claims that Stanford's decision expands these restrictions further, leaving more neurodivergent and intellectually disabled children unable to enter the country. Menéndez March asserts that this move sends a clear message to migrant families: they are not welcome if they have a child with a disability.
The Green Party has vowed to continue fighting against migrant discrimination, citing the heartbreaking stories of children facing separation from their parents as evidence of the need for change. They urge the Government to revisit its decision and ensure that disabled migrants are treated with dignity and respect.