The toll of Rajasegaran Manikam's possible deportation has left him considering leaving his job.
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As the lifestyle coordinator at a Warrnambool aged care facility, Mr Manikam said he feels he can no longer leave his work in limbo.
Mr Manikam, his wife Premawathy Balasupramaniam and their children Vanisre, 18, and Vela, 8, have been told they may face deportation to Singapore in weeks due to his health issue.
"I'm planning my resignation as I have a duty of care for my residents and if I'm not there, there needs to be someone else running the lifestyle department," he said.
"I wouldn't want to jeopardise the facility for my residents."
Mr Manikam is currently on leave from his work after a knee injury. However he is expected to return to work on Thursday where he said he would talk to his employer about possible outcomes.
"Being absent has already had some consequences and I don't want any more instability for them," he said. "I cannot be selfish."
The Rajasegaran family are yet to make any preparations to move to Singapore as they are still hopeful their situation will change.
"We have friends from everywhere who have said they'll help us plan if we have to move to Singapore," he said. "But financially, we could not support ourselves to head back there."
READ MORE:
- Wannon MP Dan Tehan asks for ministerial intervention
- Father's desperate plea: 'Please don't deport my family from Warrnambool to Singapore
- Warrnambool councillors urge federal government to allow family to stay in Australia
- Classmates of Vanisre Rajasegaran have joined the push to keep her family in Warrnambool
An outpour of community support has seen the family's change.org petition receive over 70,000 signatures and member for Wannon Dan Tehan wrote a letter to the immigration department supporting the family's bid to stay in Australia.
Mr Manikam said he felt comforted by the support.
"Dan gave me a ring and assured me he would expedite our submission once it was done," he said.
"He said he would talk to the immigration department and ensure that we will get an answer within a week.
"It sounds very assuring that something positive will eventually come from this. We are crossing our fingers and just hoping."
Mr Coleman's office was contacted for comment but said the minister cannot comment on ongoing cases. However it is understood he is looking into the Rajasegaran family's application.
You can sign the petition by clicking here.
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