Dunedin ICU nurse reunited with her family after 18 months

This is Jeslin Thampi. Jeslin is an ICU nurse at Dunedin Hospital. She has not seen her husband and 4 y/o daughter, Inaya, since January 2020, until today.

Jeslin sent me this wonderful photo and a video of their reunification at MIQ. I can’t imagine what an amazing moment this was for the family after being apart for so long.

Earlier this year I fought really hard to get the families of our migrant nurses to New Zealand. After a sustained media campaign and pressure in the Parliament, eventually we got a begrudging policy change from this Government. Now some of the families are starting to arrive.

I’m so incredibly happy for Jeslin and her family, and for all the other nurses who are being reunited with their families.

And for all of the other essential workers that we are relying on right now, who are split from their families - we will keep up the pressure for a #RoadmapToReunification for all of you.

Erica Stanford the firebrand National MP posted the above on her social media account.

Erica has been spearheading the cause of migrants and has been holding the government to account. Her consistent efforts have got many welcome results, and the one not so welcome is that Immigration Monister Kris Faafoi, has gone to the ground and is not facing media.

With her consistent efforts, Erica has won the hearts and minds of our migrants as a social media user Jacob posted on her page “ You are in politics for the right reasons. Thanks for all your mahi for immigrants. Godbless you and your family”.

It is not just Doctors and nurses that are playing a big part but also those migrants working in the logistics and supply chain industry too

Another commented, “She will never get back the amazing 18 months of memories with her son”.

Candice posted in the MigrantsNZ group, “Ever since arriving in this beautiful country, I've heard lots about mental health and how important it is to look after it. But with the current status with immigration, sitting here in limbo.  I must admit, my mental health is not doing great”.

Labour governments continued disdain towards the cause of migrant split families, and the onshore migrants are growing momentum, with frustration and anger widespread amongst the migrant communities.

The "be kind" phrase of the Prime Minister rings hollow amongst the immigrant community, who are fast losing patience over the treatment they are experiencing.

Further details on this in our most recent story Migrants feeling used and abused.