75-year-old's plea to stay in Australia is met with an unbelievable demand—find out why

A long-time resident facing an unexpected twist in her battle to stay in Australia has found herself confronted with a decision she never anticipated.

What seemed like a routine request has turned into a stunning challenge that has left many questioning the fairness of immigration policies.

The situation that has unfolded is raising eyebrows, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications.


Mary Ellis, 75, found herself caught in a battle with Australian migration officials after 40 years of calling the country home.

Despite her ongoing plea for a bridging visa to avoid being deported in handcuffs, she faced an unexpected hurdle.

Officials insisted she uses her married name, Mary McHugo, a name she had not used for almost 50 years.


image1.png
Grandmother's fight against unexpected immigration hurdles continues. Image Source: Youtube/A Current Affair


Ms Ellis was married to Sean McHugo in 1968, but their relationship ended, and she later took on the surname Ellis after marrying Martin Ellis.

Now, migration officials demanded she return to using the name McHugo, despite it being long abandoned.

Her migration agent, Stanley Shneider, expressed disbelief at the request, calling it ‘absurd’.

‘She has for 45 or so years used the surname Ellis, quite legally and properly,’ he said.

Ms Ellis has applied for 35 bridging visas, each one a three-month extension to avoid the looming threat of deportation.


Her case has drawn wide attention, particularly after her first appearance on television last year, pleading for Home Affairs to allow her to stay.

She claimed she had never left Australia since arriving in 1981.

However, accusations surfaced suggesting she had left the country under an alias in the mid-80s, which disqualified her from ‘absorbed’ citizenship.

Despite these allegations, Ms Ellis maintains she has lived in Australia legally and has deep ties to the country, including a 30-year career in hospitality and as a government worker.

Her daughter, Angela, expressed her frustration with the situation, recalling how she had left Australia as a teenager and had not seen her mother since she was 17.

‘Mum and Trevor went over to Australia first as a test run. Then we all went out as a family,’ Angela said.


Ms Ellis’ former husband, Sean McHugo, remarried in 1988 and passed away 20 years later.

Ms Ellis was told by immigration officials that she had been living illegally in Australia, which she was shocked to learn.

‘I thought well, I’m a permanent resident. You know, I carry on doing what I do every day,’ she said.

Ms Ellis had no idea her residency status was in question until she visited the Brisbane office of the Home Affairs department.

While authorities have insisted she use her married name McHugo for her visa applications, Ms Ellis and her agent argue this requirement is unnecessary.


Shneider emphasized that under the Migration Act, the minister’s intervention powers are limited, making her situation even more complicated.

Ms Ellis has become a well-loved figure in her community due to her volunteer work with The Salvation Army and her career in home care.

Despite her long history of contributing to Australian society, Ms Ellis faces constant anxiety as her visa applications are repeatedly denied.


Her case has sparked an outpouring of support on social media, with many Australians rallying behind her.

One social media user commented: ‘For goodness sake this is outrage, she so deserves to stay. The Immigration Minister needs to fix this!’

While some have questioned the allegations about Ms Ellis leaving Australia, her agent maintains his client’s version of events.


Shneider noted that she had not applied for an ‘absorbed person’ visa, as the Migration Act only grants that status to those who meet certain criteria automatically.

The government, however, remained firm, explaining that the minister could only intervene in narrow circumstances, such as if a visa is refused or a tribunal’s decision is appealed.

Support for Ms Ellis continues to grow, with many Australians frustrated by what they see as an unjust application of migration laws.

Her story has sparked a larger conversation about the complexities of immigration policies and the human cost of bureaucratic decisions.

Learn more about her story by watching the video below.


Key Takeaways
  • Mary Ellis, 75, has been living in Australia for 40 years but faces deportation after being told to use her married name, Mary McHugo, a name she hasn't used in nearly 50 years.
  • Despite her claims of never leaving Australia since 1981, accusations surfaced suggesting she left under an alias in the mid-80s, challenging her eligibility for 'absorbed' citizenship.
  • Ms Ellis' migration agent, Stanley Shneider, criticized the requirement to use the name McHugo, calling it absurd, while Ms Ellis continues to apply for bridging visas to avoid deportation.
  • The case has sparked widespread support on social media, with many questioning the fairness of immigration policies and the impact of bureaucratic decisions on individuals like Ms Ellis.

Should decades of contribution to the country be enough to grant someone permanent residency? Are the rules too rigid?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
There's an elephant in the room, and we have to question why Mary Ellis from Northern NSW came to the attention of the Australian Government after all these years. The first answer is an arrest.
 
ALL she had to do was apply for Australian citizenship after living here for 3 years way back in 1984 and any time in the intervening years. She didn't. Which means :
a) she doesn't want to be truly Australian
b) she can't blame anyone but herself. Not the government. Nor the regulations, which exist to protect genuine migrants.
I reckon she is a bloody idiot.
Read again - her husband told her they had a permanent residency - she believed she was a permanent resident - everyone is an expert these days but I wish they would read things properly.
 
Read again - her husband told her they had a permanent residency - she believed she was a permanent resident - everyone is an expert these days but I wish they would read things properly.
What's your reason why the govt wants her deported? Don't say it's the Labor govt because every Govt party does the same thing.
 
Last edited:
Read again - her husband told her they had a permanent residency - she believed she was a permanent resident - everyone is an expert these days but I wish they would read things properly.
Agreed, it is said her husband told her so. Then, that doesn't explain the need to apply for a bridging visa, which is noted was denied over and over again. Do permanent residents need a bridging visa to remain here? If not, she was aware she wasn't/isn't a PR. There is a lot more to this story and the mystery won't be solved by us.
 
What's your reason why the govt wants her deported? Don't say it's the Labour govt because every Govt party does the same thing.
If she had permanent residency as she says - what do you think is the problem?
 
If she had permanent residency as she says - what do you think is the problem?
I think it's rather odd after all these years she's being deported if she hasn't done anything wrong. I know lots of uk elderly people personally, even in their 90's who aren't threatened with deportation.
 
Agreed, it is said her husband told her so. Then, that doesn't explain the need to apply for a bridging visa, which is noted was denied over and over again. Do permanent residents need a bridging visa to remain here? If not, she was aware she wasn't/isn't a PR. There is a lot more to this story and the mystery won't be solved by us.
Yay I agree we will never know - what I find irritating is all the huff and puff and misquoting content. May be me with my professional background of 54 years and making sure you know what you are talking about or zip your lip until you do.
 
Why did she revert to her maiden name on death of her husband. Seems strange to me.
From what I read her first husbands last name was McHugo but they divorced and she remarried a man called Martin Ellis. The name she is using and has been using for the last 45yrs is that of her 2nd marriage and therefore is her legitimate last name.
 
From what I read her first husbands last name was McHugo but they divorced and she remarried a man called Martin Ellis. The name she is using and has been using for the last 45yrs is that of her 2nd marriage and therefore is her legitimate last name.
Unfortunately, that's not completely correct.

Firstly she first arrived in Australia in 1981. However, according to the story at the head of this thread, she didn't marry 'Martin Ellis' until 1988.

So Ellis was not her legal name when she first arrived in Australia.

Secondly, according to the video attached to the story, the immigration department has claimed Martin Ellis was an alias, and that the real name of her 'second husband' was Trevor Warren.

While she denied that in her interview with the media, her daughter said that "Mum and Trevor" went over to Australia as a test run. Then we all went out as a family"

Indicating that Mary may have lied about that.

And also indicating that, if they entered as Mr & Mrs Ellis and Angela Ellis on the second occasion all their names might not have been legally valid.
 
Reading through all the comments about the why’s and wherefore’s regarding the legitimacy of this lady in Australia, I’m totally confused about it….at the end of the day though , this lady has been noticed and targeted by Immigration for a reason…..I’d really like to know what that reason is !!!
 
Reading this I don’t know why anyone queries why she reverted to her maiden name as I have stayed with my married name although been divorced for about fifty years. This is our choice
What is wrong when we have a lady like this who has been nothing but great to our fellow Australians helping many? Get rid of the riff raff and stop upsetting her. Be grateful we have good people like her in our country.
Maybe we could get together and start a petition to help this lady? Would you sign a petition? I am the same age as her and yes I was born in Australia. Leave her in peace.
 
I understand why Ms Ellis wants to stay in Australia but I have a query concerning her work history. How did she work for the government when she was not naturalised? I was refused an interview for government jobs until I was naturalised. My daughter was refused entry into the Australian Navy until she was naturalised. Both my daughter and I were highly qualified for the jobs we applied for and it was with regret that my potential boss had to refuse my application. In my daughter's case she had already applied for naturalisation but at the time there was a delay so in fact the Navy took her in and had a special ceremony to make it legal for her to be there.
Same!!!!!
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×