Former Brisbane high school student and Iranian refugee Mojgan Shamsalipoor was released from detention on a temporary three-month bridging visa on September 21.
Mojgan came to Australia aged 18 in 2012 from Iran, fleeing sexual assault and an arranged marriage to a 60-year-old man.
She was released from Christmas Island into community detention on a temporary visa while her refugee claim was being assessed. She went to high school and later met and married her husband.
The department of immigration then decided she did not qualify as a refugee and she was taken into detention. Mojgan faced a life of indefinite detention. She feared for her life if returned to Iran and Iran did not accept refugees who were deported.
A concerted campaign for her release began, including by staff and students at her former school, Yeronga State High School. It was featured on ABC’s Australian Story earlier this year.
It is now up to immigration minister Peter Dutton to decide if she can be given a permanent visa and allowed to stay in the Australian community with her family.
Like the article? Subscribe to Green Left now! You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.