Abdullah Ashraf saved lives during the Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people. Now he's fighting to stay in the country he risked his life to protect.
The Pakistani law student's visa lapsed while he was on compassionate leave from the University of New South Wales, dealing with trauma from the December 14 attack. He helped victims when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish community event marking the start of Hanukkah. His future in Australia remains uncertain as immigration officials review his case.
When Instinct Overcame Fear
Mr Ashraf was driving a rideshare car when he heard gunshots near the beach. "It was in the back of my head that, if there's a bullet out there [with] my name on it, it would find me … but if I could help someone else, if I could save a life, I think that's a good bargain," he said.
He helped an injured police officer first. Then he got two children to safety and cared for their wounded mother. "The kids were standing there; I made sure that they were behind the car, so even if there were bullets flying around, at least they're safe," he said. He applied pressure to the mother's wounds and kept her conscious until paramedics arrived. "I'm sure she has a long road ahead in terms of recovering mentally, and the trauma, but the two kids won't grow up without a mother," he said.
After ensuring she was with paramedics, Mr Ashraf tried to help 27-year-old French man Dan Elkayam. He held Elkayam's hand as he died. "His pulse was very weak," he said. "I did look in his eyes, but I couldn't [see] his wound or where it was, and he just passed away."
The Weight of Trauma
The months following the attack took their toll. "It takes time to deal with trauma, everyone does it in their own way," Mr Ashraf said. "Initially you don't feel a lot, but after a little while you start thinking about it, when you're alone at night."
He tried to continue his studies but couldn't manage the workload. "Considering what I'm studying, the load is quite intense and it needs a lot of time and consistent effort, and I just didn't have it in me at the time," he said. His doctor recommended compassionate leave, which the university granted. During that period, his student visa lapsed.
Uncertain Future Despite Precedent
Mr Ashraf has applied for a new visa but faces an anxious wait. "It is very uncertain and causes a lot of anxiety sometimes not knowing how it's going to turn out," he said. "I don't know how the department might look at it or how the case officer might look at it. If my visa gets rejected, that puts me in a very difficult situation."
A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson acknowledged the "courage and selflessness of individuals who assist others during emergency situations" but wouldn't comment on his case specifically. "It would not be appropriate to comment on whether a particular individual may be considered for a visa outcome or ministerial intervention," they said. "Any such matters are considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with Australia's migration law."
The federal government has granted permanent residency to others who showed extraordinary bravery. After the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack in 2024, security guard Muhammad Taha and French national Damien Guerot received permanent visas. Israeli national Geffen Bitton and Indian man Rahemath Pasha were also granted permanent residency for their acts of bravery during the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Mr Ashraf said staying in Australia would be "life-changing." "I absolutely love this country and I would love to stay here and continue my journey," he said. He hopes to continue working with the Aboriginal Legal Service, where he'd been volunteering during his studies. "I have no idea how hard their life has been or what their generational story is, but what I do like to think is even if I've helped one of them, it has made a positive impact on everyone in their life and probably a lot of people who come after them," he said.
Why This Matters:
This case highlights the gap between recognizing heroism and protecting those who demonstrate it when bureaucratic processes collide with human trauma. Mr Ashraf's mental health crisis stemmed directly from his decision to help others during a terrorist attack, yet the visa system that lapsed while he recovered doesn't automatically account for such circumstances. The government has established precedent by granting permanent residency to others who showed bravery in recent attacks, but without clear pathways for those dealing with resulting trauma, individuals face deportation for consequences beyond their control. The outcome will signal whether Australia's immigration system can respond humanely to those who've already proven their commitment to the community's safety, particularly when their legal status becomes collateral damage of the very heroism the nation claims to value.