The family of a Palestinian grandmother detained in Sydney by immigration authorities after a pre-dawn raid is pleading with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for answers regarding her visa cancellation and for proper representation to secure her release. Maha Almassri, 61, fled Gaza in February 2024 and entered Australia on a visitor visa, later receiving a bridging visa in June 2024. She was detained at her son’s home in western Sydney on Thursday and transferred to Villawood detention center due to a failed character test stemming from an assessment that she might pose a security risk as per the Migration Act. The local member for Watson and the family are concerned about her well-being and demand transparency on the reasons behind her detention, criticizing the lack of communication and support from Burke. The family’s concerns are part of broader community frustrations, with a demonstration held in western Sydney reflecting these sentiments, while political figures like shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie raise questions about the effectiveness of security checks and the implications of her visa cancellation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/12/sydney-family-palestinian-woman-gaza-plead-with-home-affairs-minister-over-visa-cancellation-ntwnfb
Sydney relatives of detained Palestinian woman urge Home Affairs Minister to reverse visa revocation | Sydney
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