HK teen girl deported from Australia after quarrel with host family

A 16-year-old Hong Kong student in Western Australia was deported without being given the opportunity to appeal, after she called the police for help over a dispute with her host family in March, Australia media has reported.

Her mother, who watched her daughter’s ordeal unfold on a video call, criticized the handling of the situation by the police and the authorities is now working with lawyers to file a complaint in pursuit of justice.

The girl attends a public secondary school in Western Australia. 

Less than a week after moving in with her host family, the host imposed additional restrictions that were not agreed upon initially, such as prohibiting her from brushing her teeth after 9:30pm, the girl told Australia media SBS.

In March, the host became emotionally agitated, repeatedly banging on the door for two hours. Frightened, the student called her mother in Hong Kong before contacting the police.

When officers arrived, they did not investigate the incident or review video evidence from her phone, and instead called her “childish.”

A staff member from TAFE International Western Australia, a unit under the state government, told the girl that she would be taken to the airport immediately. She was given just 10 minutes to pack, forced to hand over her phone and passport.

Her mother expressed strong dissatisfaction with the way her daughter was treated. 

After her daughter's return to Hong Kong, she accompanied her back to Western Australia to seek justice in person. With the help of lawyers, the student was eventually able to move into a new host family and resume her studies. 

The mother criticized the authorities for their lack of explanation or apology and described the experience as terrifying. 

(Staff reporter)