Man who fled China as a child caught in identification debacle
After nearly 40 years "lost in the system" Askat Adil is well on the way to being able to use his name.
"Just help us," his wife Ramila begged.
And so we did.
Askat Adil. A Current Affair
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Mr Adil was a refugee from the Tibetan region of China.
He and his family fled nearly four decades ago and came to Australia.
In time, they all became Aussie citizens and were granted an Australian passport - except Mr Adil.
Askat Adil speaks to A Current Affair reporter Brady Halls. A Current Affair
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He travelled on his father's passport when he came here as a little boy and his long traditional name - Aisihaiti Saidierding - was on that document.
"I can't even pronounce it," Mr Adil said.
You see, ever since he arrived in Australia his name was shortened to "Askat Adil" so it was easier to assimilate into our society.
After nearly 40 years "lost in the system" Askat Adil is well on the way to being able to use his name. A Current Affair
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"I was called Askat at school, university, it's on my marriage certificate, my son's birth certificate," Mr Adil said.
"It's on my driver's licence, Medicare card and various other documents … but not the most important one, a citizenship certificate."
For that, Mr Adil needed a birth certificate and having fled as a child from a remote Asian village, he simply didn't have one.
"Every time I went to immigration to apply for citizenship they told me I needed a birth certificate," Mr Adil said.
"When I couldn't produce that they told me to go back to China to get it.
"The problem is you need a passport and to get a passport you need a citizenship certificate."
Askat Adil with his family. A Current Affair
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His father's old Chinese passport, the one he came out here on, had long expired and was not recognised.
"Every time I went to immigration I just couldn't get past first base and for the last 25 years I have been trying non-stop," Mr Adil said.
"I'd dearly love to travel overseas and because I can't get a passport, I've never left Australia since I've been here."
In frustration Mr Adil contacted A Current Affair.
Askat Adil and his wife Ramila with their young child. A Current Affair
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We got in touch with the office of the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration Alex Hawke.
They looked at Mr Adil's dilemma and allocated him a senior case worker.
They helped Mr Adil fill out some new forms for citizenship and told him they now recognise his "Aussie" name and he should - in the next week - have himself his much wanted Australian citizenship certificate and from there he can apply for a passport.
Sometimes people just get lost in the system.
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