Expectant Melbourne couple plead to be able to return from US
An expectant Victorian couple stranded in the US are pleading to be able to come home before her pregnancy renders them unable to fly.
Dylan-Lee and Emilio Polanco, who are among the more than 40,000 Australians still stranded overseas, are desperate to be reunited with their families before their first child is born.
The fully vaccinated couple have been living in the US for the last seven years for work and family reasons, but are now stranded there.
LIVE UPDATES: Four mysteries among 15 new Victorian COVID-19 cases
Emilio and Dylan-Lee Polanco are expecting their first child. Nine
They paid $2500 each for a United Airlines flight home yesterday, but were bumped off it.
"You just have to realise like, there's nothing we can do, like we literally, we can't control any aspect of this," Mr Polanco said.
They fear Australian travellers who pay more for their flights are being prioritised above them.
Ms Polanco is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy and can't fly once she's 28 weeks pregnant, which is just over a month away.
READ MORE: Melbourne mum in intensive care with COVID-19 while pregnant with twins
Emilio and Dylan-Lee Polanco are vaccinated against COVID-19. Nine
Ms Polanco said it was very important for her to be reunited with her mum before she had her first child.
"We got married in Australia knowing, you know, that Australia's our home - it's always been our home," she said.
Mr Polanco said it was "incredibly heartbreaking" to think they may not be able to enjoy the coming milestone with their families in Bachus Marsh and Ballan.
The federal government has cut the number of international arrivals by 50 per cent in the fight against the current COVID-19 outbreak, capping it at just over 3000 return travellers every week.
The Polancos said they had registered their needs with the Department of Foreign Affairs but are yet to get a response.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
