False posts target Australian minister's comments on citizenship for immigrants

"Labor is betraying Australia and its people again," reads a Facebook post shared on May 3, 2026.

The post shared a screenshot of an X post from a self-proclaimed Australian "patriot" who had previously circulated claims that AFP had debunked.

 The screenshot shows Burke -- who is part of the ruling Labor party -- speaking in what appears to be an interview.

Text embedded in the screenshot reads: "BREAKING: Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke declared his intention to follow in the footsteps of Spain and grant citizenship to all temporary visa holders in Australia -- 2.9 million foreigners."

Spain's left-wing government approved a decree to regularise around 500,000 undocumented migrants on April 14, 2026 (archived link).

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken May 5, 2026, with a red X added by AFP

Anti-immigration sentiment in Australia -- fuelled in part by a series of marches across Australia since 2025 -- has critics increasingly blaming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his centre-left Labor Party of societal issues (archived here and here).

There are nearly three million temporary visa holders in Australia as of March 31, 2026, according to official data (archived link). Besides international students and asylum seekers, they are also part of a skilled workforce, with large numbers working in the healthcare, education and construction sectors.

Besides anti-Labor political groups, the screenshot with the embedded text was also shared in groups focused on sharing immigration and visa information, as well as minority communities. The claim also spread on TikTok and X. 

But the posts simplified a more nuanced answer that Burke had given about obtaining citizenship.

'Pathways to permanent residency'

A keyword search on Google resulted in an interview he did on The Pawan Luthra Podcast, published on YouTube on April 14, 2026. The background and setting match the circulating screenshots on social media (archived link).

Burke spoke on immigration with the Indian-Australian personality in the 14-minute video, with topics ranging from the housing shortage and anti-migrant sentiments to criticising the migration policy released by new opposition leader Angus Taylor.

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Screenshot comparison of the false Facebook post (L) and the YouTube interview of the interior minister with the Pawan Luthra Podcast

At the 11:40 mark, Luthra asked Burke: "What concrete actions have been taken to reduce the number of people stuck in permanently temporary status?"

In response, Burke said that while there are some countries that allow guest workers in "who will never be citizens", he does not believe that should be the model for Australia.

"I believe that people who are still here, people who are going to continue to be here and working here, should have the opportunity to become fully part of Australia’s democracy," he said, before the conversation shifted to memories of citizenship ceremonies that he has presided over.

The clip in the 12:04 mark matches the screenshot in the false posts (archived link). 

There was no mention of Spain's move to regularise undocumented workers in the whole interview.

A spokesperson for the Home Affairs department also told AFP in a May 6 email that the government is "committed to a fair and inclusive migration program that gives eligible temporary visa holders the opportunity to apply for permanent residence" (archived link).

"The Minister for Home Affairs has no plans to approve citizenship to all temporary visa holders but is focused on clear and equitable pathways to permanent residency," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson explained that a person must first maintain a permanent residency status for four years before applying for Australian citizenship, which includes at least 12 months as a permanent resident immediately prior to applying for citizenship.

AFP has previously debunked misleading claims concerning migration in Australia.