Tamil family’s plight involves a complex moral balance

Sri Lankan-born couple Nadesalingam and Priya and their two Australian-born daughters are in all but one respect exactly the sort of immigrants Australia wants to attract.

Since arriving in the Queensland town of Biloela they have worked hard and fitted into the community.

Yet because they came here illegally by boat more than five years ago the federal government has fought to have them deported.

After their temporary protection visas expired in March, they were taken from their home and imprisoned.

Barring a last-minute court challenge they will be sent back to Sri Lanka within days.

Their story is…