Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson will consider the case of an Indian family with two New Zealand-born children who have been told to leave the country.
Usha and Sital Ram have been overstaying in New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand has rejected a bid to allow them to remain with children Hermani, aged eight, and twins Gagan and Gaurav, aged six.
The parents are to be deported and are now deciding whether to take their children to live in a slum in India or leave them behind in Hawke's Bay where they may have a better life.
Local National MP Craig Foss wrote to Ms Wilkinson last week asking her to overturn the removal order which she has the power to do.
Ms Wilkinson has not yet considered the case and a file was being put together for her to read. A decision was expected within a week.
Green MP Keith Locke yesterday urged her to show compassion.
"I think particularly in this case when they are aged six and eight they have been bought up essentially in New Zealand, they have New Zealand friends at New Zealand schools - they are New Zealanders in every respect from citizenship to their way of life and situation and they should be able to stay here as a united family.
"It's not as if their parents have committed any great crime, why not let them stay?"
