New Zealand First is opposing efforts to bring Ahmed Zaoui's family to New Zealand.
Mr Zaoui's lawyers lodged an appeal with Immigration Minister David Cunliffe before Christmas to allow his wife and four children to come here.
Yesterday the Greens backed that call, saying delays in the case
were unreasonable and should not be allowed to keep the family apart.
Mr Zaoui has been struggling to stay in New Zealand since he arrived in December 2002 seeking refugee status. He is awaiting a review of his case.
The Department of Labour is preparing advice for Mr Cunliffe before he decides.
NZ First associate immigration spokesman Peter Brown said the family should not be allowed to come here from Southeast Asia.
"Put simply, if Mr Zaoui wants to be with his family so badly, then there is nothing preventing him from getting on a plane and going to be with them today."
Green MP Keith Locke said the family were not a security risk and met criteria for New Zealand's United Nations refugee intake.
But Mr Brown said Mr Zaoui had terrorism-related convictions from European courts and his case had cost taxpayers millions.
Mr Zaoui was convicted in Belgian and French courts on charges of association with terrorists, but his lawyers say that those charges were groundless.
He was also expelled from Switzerland and left Malaysia after reports the Algerian regime was seeking his extradition.
Mr Brown did agree with Mr Locke that the case had dragged on too long.
When Mr Zaoui, once elected an MP in Algeria, came to New Zealand, he sought refugee status on the grounds he would be tortured or killed if he was sent back to his homeland.
He spent almost two years in prison waiting for his case to be decided as he fought an SIS security risk certificate and moves to expel him from the country.
Mr Zaoui was released on bail in December 2004 after a Supreme Court hearing, and has since lived with the Catholic community in the Dominican Priory in Auckland awaiting a hearing.
The hearing to review the security risk certificate was due to be held last August but will not now go ahead until between June and August this year.
- NZPA
