Key Takeaways
• Maha Almassri’s Australian visa was cancelled on July 10, 2025, due to ASIO’s security risk assessment.
• She was detained at Villawood after authorities conducted a 5 a.m. raid on her Sydney home.
• Australia’s Migration Act allows visa cancellation on character or security grounds without disclosing ASIO evidence.
A 62-year-old Palestinian woman, Maha Almassri, was detained in Sydney after her Australian visa was cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs. The decision, made by Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill, followed an assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) that labeled her a security risk. Her family and supporters are now speaking out, questioning the process and the impact on those fleeing conflict.
Immediate Detention and Family Reaction
On the morning of July 10, 2025, Australian authorities raided Maha Almassri’s home in Sydney’s south-west at 5 a.m. She was taken first to Bankstown police station, then transferred to Villawood detention centre. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the visa cancellation but did not provide details, citing security and intelligence confidentiality.
Almassri’s family, including her brother Slayman, described the raid as deeply traumatic. “We don’t understand how a 62-year-old woman who fled war could be seen as a threat,” he said outside the Department of Home Affairs building, where the family led a small protest demanding her release. The family also claims another relative’s visa was cancelled and that this person is now in immigration detention, though this has not been independently confirmed.
Why Was Maha Almassri’s Visa Cancelled?
The cancellation of Maha Almassri’s Australian visa was a personal decision by Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill. The main reason given was an assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which found that Almassri was “directly or indirectly a risk to security.” This led to the conclusion that she “objectively fails the character test” under the Migration Act.
The Migration Act allows the Minister for Home Affairs or a delegate to cancel a visa if the person is found not to meet the character requirements or if it is considered in the “national interest.” In Almassri’s case, the specific evidence or allegations that led to the ASIO assessment have not been shared with her or her family. The Department of Home Affairs has stated, “the Government will not be commenting on this cancellation,” and stressed that public information may not reflect the findings of intelligence agencies.
Background: Fleeing Conflict and Seeking Safety
Maha Almassri arrived in Australia in February 2024 with her children, holding temporary visas. They settled in Sydney’s south-west, hoping for safety after years of displacement. Almassri is originally from a town near present-day Tel Aviv. Her family became refugees in Gaza after being forced from their home during the 1948 Nakba, when about 750,000 Palestinians lost their homes.
Recent events in Gaza have made life even more dangerous for her family. Some relatives were reportedly killed during Israel’s military operations following the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Like many Palestinians, Almassri and her family sought refuge in Australia to escape violence and uncertainty.
Legal and Policy Framework: How Visa Cancellations Work
Under Australia’s Migration Act, the government has broad powers to cancel visas on character or security grounds. The law states that a visa can be cancelled if the person is found to be a risk to national security or if they fail the character test. This test includes any assessment by ASIO that the person is a security risk.
Key points about the process include:
- ASIO’s Role: ASIO provides security assessments for visa holders. If ASIO finds someone is a risk, the Minister can cancel their visa.
- Lack of Transparency: The specific reasons for ASIO’s assessment are usually not shared with the person affected or their family, making it hard to challenge the decision.
- Right to Appeal: People whose visas are cancelled on security or character grounds can ask for the decision to be reviewed or revoked. However, without knowing the evidence against them, it is very difficult to prepare a defense.
- Ongoing Monitoring: The Department of Home Affairs has stated that “the Australian government doesn’t stop investigating new information about a visa holder just because they are onshore.”
For more information about visa cancellations and the Migration Act, readers can visit the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Recent Changes in Australian Migration Policy
Australia’s migration system has changed a lot in 2024 and 2025. The government has focused on tightening security checks and making sure all visa holders, especially those from conflict zones, are regularly assessed. Some of the main changes include:
- Stricter Security Vetting: All applicants, especially from high-risk regions, face more detailed background checks.
- Increased Visa Fees: The cost of applying for visas has gone up.
- Tougher Eligibility Rules: It is now harder to qualify for many types of visas.
- Permanent Migration Program: For 2024–25, the program is set at 185,000 places, with a strong focus on skilled migration and employer sponsorship.
The government has said it will cancel visas if new security information comes up, even after someone has arrived in Australia. This means that people who have already settled can still lose their visas if the government believes there is a security risk.
Impact on Individuals and Families
For people like Maha Almassri, the consequences of a visa cancellation are immediate and severe:
- Detention: Once a visa is cancelled, the person is usually detained right away and moved to an immigration detention centre, such as Villawood.
- Limited Information: Detainees and their families often receive very little information about why the visa was cancelled, making it hard to respond or appeal.
- Legal Challenges: While there is a right to seek revocation of the cancellation, the process is difficult without access to the evidence used against them.
- Risk of Indefinite Detention: If the person cannot be sent back to their home country—because it is unsafe or they are stateless—they may face indefinite detention in Australia.
Almassri’s family and supporters say the process is unfair and leaves vulnerable people in limbo. Her brother Slayman said, “We just want answers. We want to know why this is happening and how we can help her.”
Expert and Advocacy Group Concerns
Legal and migration experts have raised alarms about the use of broad security powers without transparency. They warn that this can undermine due process and leave people stuck in detention without a clear path forward. Advocacy groups, including the Refugee Council of Australia, have also spoken out about the humanitarian risks for Palestinians and others fleeing conflict.
A spokesperson for a refugee advocacy group said, “People who have already suffered so much should not be left in the dark about their future. The lack of information makes it almost impossible to challenge these decisions or to plan for what comes next.”
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the trend toward stricter security checks and ongoing monitoring is likely to continue, especially for people from conflict zones. This means that more families could face sudden visa cancellations and detention, even after they have started to rebuild their lives in Australia.
Government’s Position and Official Statements
The Australian government has defended its actions, saying that national security must come first. The Department of Home Affairs has stated that it will not comment on individual cases but insists that all decisions are made in line with the law and based on the best available intelligence.
Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill, who made the decision to cancel Maha Almassri’s visa, has not commented publicly on the case. The Department of Home Affairs has emphasized that public information may not reflect the full findings of intelligence agencies and that the government is committed to keeping Australia safe.
Broader Policy and Future Outlook
Australia’s approach to migration and security is expected to remain strict. The government has made it clear that it will continue to monitor visa holders and cancel visas if new security information comes to light. This policy is likely to affect not only people from conflict zones but also anyone whose background raises concerns for ASIO or other agencies.
Human rights organizations and legal advocates are likely to keep pushing for more transparency and fairness in the process. They argue that people should have the right to know why their visas are cancelled and to challenge the evidence against them.
Ongoing protests and advocacy efforts may put pressure on the government to review cases like Maha Almassri’s and to provide more information to affected families. However, with security concerns remaining a top priority, significant changes to the policy seem unlikely in the near future.
Practical Steps for Affected Individuals
If your visa is cancelled on security or character grounds, here are some steps you can take:
- Seek Legal Advice: Contact a registered migration agent or legal aid service that specializes in immigration law. They can help you understand your rights and options.
- Request Revocation: You have the right to ask for the cancellation to be reviewed or revoked. This process can be complex, especially if you do not have access to the evidence used against you.
- Contact Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Refugee Council of Australia can provide support and may help connect you with legal resources.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with changes in migration policy and your visa status by checking the Department of Home Affairs website.
Key Contacts and Resources
- Department of Home Affairs: For official statements, visa status, and information on visa cancellations.
- ASIO: For information about security assessments (public information only).
- Refugee Council of Australia: Advocacy and support for refugees and people affected by visa cancellations.
- Registered Migration Agents: For legal advice and help with appeals.
Conclusion: Balancing Security and Humanitarian Needs
The case of Maha Almassri highlights the difficult balance between national security and the rights of people fleeing conflict. While the government has a duty to protect the community, the lack of transparency and the risk of indefinite detention raise serious concerns for affected individuals and their families.
For people like Almassri, the sudden loss of an Australian visa means not only the threat of detention but also the fear of being sent back to a place where their safety cannot be guaranteed. As Australia continues to tighten its migration policies, the need for clear information, fair processes, and support for vulnerable people becomes even more important.
If you or someone you know is affected by a visa cancellation, it is important to seek legal advice and support as soon as possible. Staying informed and connected to advocacy groups can help you understand your rights and take action to protect your future in Australia.
Learn Today
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) → Australia’s agency assessing security risks related to visa holders, influencing visa cancellations.
Visa Cancellation → Official government revocation of a visa, often due to character or security concerns under migration law.
Migration Act → Australian legislation governing migration, including visa conditions and cancellation procedures.
Character Test → A legal standard used to determine if a person poses risks affecting visa eligibility.
Immigration Detention Centre → A facility where visa holders are detained after visa cancellation pending legal outcomes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Maha Almassri, a 62-year-old Palestinian refugee, was detained after her Australian visa was cancelled due to a security risk assessment by ASIO. Her family protests the lack of transparency and the harsh impact of visa cancellations on vulnerable migrants fleeing conflict zones.
— By VisaVerge.com
