A TOWNSVILLE nurse who faces deportation with her 10-year-old son due to his autism said she felt “overwhelmed” by the public’s support as she delivered a 4000-page petition to the Brisbane office of federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton today.

More than 120,000 people have lent their support to the Change.org petition protesting the Department of Immigration’s rejection of a 489 skilled visa for Maria Sevilla and her son Tyrone.

Ms Sevilla, a registered nurse who pays tax and has private health insurance, said the department had ruled her Year 4 son would be a financial burden if he was to remain in Australia.

However, Ms Sevilla told media gathered outside the federal MP’s Strathpine office that Tyrone would likely “regress” if he was forced to return to the Philippines, where he does not speak the language.

“Because Tyrone is my child, he is my responsibility,” she said.

“That’s why I’m working hard to give him a bright future.”

The family legally arrived in Australia in 2007, with Tyrone diagnosed with autism the following year.

media_camera Tyrone’s message to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. PIC: Mark Calleja

Ms Sevilla has been verbally told that a 30-day bridging visa would be granted — which would allow her to work — but has not received formal approval yet.

Queensland Nurses’ Union Secretary Beth Mohl said she was hopeful the minister would intervene and overturn the department’s refusal of the 489 visa.

“Ministers have intervened with similar cases in the past,” she said.

“I think this case really highlights we need to be challenging our prejudices and preconceptions about people with a disability.”

“We don’t need to be condemning Tyrone to a lifetime of saying he’s going to be a burden when he’s obviously a healthy, happy little boy.”

The Sevillas live in Townsville with Tyrone’s grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt and cousins.