Family forced to live in tent after immigration consultant lied

A couple who paid an immigration consultant to get work at a Marlborough vineyard found the jobs did not exist. File photo / NZ Herald

A couple and their three children were forced to live in a tent after an immigration consultant took their money and told them they had jobs at a Marlborough vineyard.

The jobs did not exist, and now Auckland immigration adviser Artika Archina Devi has had her immigration advisers' licence cancelled and ordered to pay $35,000 to four clients she misled.

Manukau-based Devi, former director at Universal Immigration Services NZ, told one couple she had secured them jobs at a Marlborough vineyard.

The couple and their three children arrived to discover the jobs didn't exist and were forced to live in a tent in Marlborough until the campsite proprietor lent them the money to get home.

The Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal ordered Devi pay a total of $35,171 to four separate complainants to cover penalties, fees refunds, compensation for lost documents, loss of earnings and travel costs.

Its decision, released today, said Devi's conduct had been reckless at best.

"She presented an employment contract to vulnerable migrants, and had her clients execute it. They were essentially put into the position of being homeless."

The tribunal said the family suffered financial hardship after relying on Devi's conduct.

"That was the result of relocating in reliance on the understanding they had obtained work permits and work and having to meet travel and accommodation costs."

The tribunal criticised Devi for her "inexcusable and delinquent conduct", causing serious harm through incompetence and the failure to provide adequate advice, as well as failure to fulfil professional engagement.

Devi was struck off the licensed immigration advisers register and banned from reapplying for a full licence for two years.

Immigration Advisers Authority registrar Barry Smedts said it was a very sad case.

"This kind of behaviour is appalling and negligent beyond belief."

He said it was important for migrants to use consultants listed on the register of licensed immigration advisers so they had a better chance of getting compensated for illegal or inappropriate immigration advice.