International Day of Families: Family Reunion and Child Wellbeing

International Day of Families, observed each year on 15 May, recognises the important role families play in society and highlights the social and economic challenges that can affect family wellbeing.

The 2026 theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing”, focuses on how inequality and systemic barriers can impact the safety, stability, and wellbeing of families and children around the world.

For families seeking safety through humanitarian pathways, separation, uncertainty, and complex migration processes can place enormous pressure on parents and children alike. Jesse’s story highlights the profound impact family separation can have, and the important role legal and community support services can play in helping families reunite and rebuild their lives.

Jesse’s Story:

Jesse, her husband, and their children were resettled to Australia through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, due to COVID-19 border closures and administrative complications, the family’s youngest child, who was born after their initial resettlement approval, was not granted a visa before travel arrangements were finalised.

The family were told they would need to leave their newborn child behind with relatives or risk the cancellation of the family’s entire resettlement process. After arriving in Australia in 2024 without their baby, Jesse and her family experienced significant distress as they navigated the uncertainty of being separated from their youngest child.

Jesse was referred to Circle Green’s Family Reunion legal service by the Humanitarian Settlement team at the Red Cross for legal advice and support. Circle Green worked closely with Jesse and her Red Cross case worker to explain the available legal options, likely costs, and expected processing timeframes.

Circle Green also assisted Jesse to submit a Freedom of Information request to better understand what records had been created in relation to her child’s circumstances. Following legal advice and advocacy from the Red Cross to the Home Affairs Settlement Branch, we supported Jesse to lodge a Subclass 202 Humanitarian visa application for her child.

In April 2025, the child’s humanitarian visa was granted after just seven months, despite standard processing times often taking around six years and carrying a refusal rate of more than 90 per cent. The family was finally reunited in June 2025.

Reflecting on the experience, Jesse shared:

“The pain of being separated from him was indescribable.”

“Thanks to the help we received from Circle Green Community Legal, our family is now together, safe, and happy. My son is back with his parents and siblings, and this has been one of the most important and life-changing moments for our family.”

International Day of Families is an opportunity to recognise the importance of policies and support systems that help families remain safe, connected, and supported. Jesse’s story reflects how access to legal assistance, community support, and coordinated advocacy can help families navigate complex systems and reunite with loved ones.

Please visit our Family Reunion resources page for more information.

Client’s real name and photo have not been used. Identifying details have been withheld to protect confidentiality.