Long Queues for Somali Family Reunification Applicants

[The Ripper]

The Finnish Immigration Service is swamped with family reunification applications from Somalis. About 5,600 such applications are being processed, with the oldest dating from the start of 2009.

The authority has not yet had the time to deal with applications submitted in February 2010.

The Finnish Immigration Service says that the handling of Somalis’ applications for a residence permit on the basis of family ties takes longer than average for such applications.

There are two reasons for the hold-ups, according to the authority. Firstly, the numbers of applications from Somalis have rapidly grown. Secondly, it is usually impossible to obtain documents proving a familial relationship from Somalia, which means that the interested parties have to be interviewed in person.

Most frequently, applicants are interviewed at the Finnish mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Parliament’s Administration Committee observed in February that Finland’s rules regarding family reunification do not adhere to EU directives on the matter. The committee proposed introducing stricter regulations.

YLE

YLE News

[Gamera]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland? When did this trend start? I've always wondered that.

[Wyn]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland?

Why are they specifically attracted to any country? There are between 90,000 and 250,000 in the UK.

[Joe McCarthy]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland? When did this trend start? I've always wondered that.

They've long been attracted to Sweden, which became a refugee magnet under Olof Palme. I imagine they prefer to be close to relatives, so they go to Finland.

[The Lawspeaker]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland? When did this trend start? I've always wondered that.

It's actually rather simple: hyvinvointivaltio.

[Max]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland?

Maybe they want to create a new pirate fleet in the North Atlantic?

I don't understand this myself. :mmmm:

[Eldritch]

Why is it that Somalis are specifically attracted of immigrating to Finland? When did this trend start? I've always wondered that.

I don't think Somalis are specifically attracted to Finland.

They're attracted to any country with a low crime rate and generous welfare benefits, and few blacks (Somalis don't think of themselves as black). They send out scouts and establish "tuulas" as they call them, anywhere they find such places. It's happened elsewhere in Europe, as well as in the US in the state of Maine.

The first Somalis in Finland didn't even come directly from Somalia, they were Siad Barre's officers who had been training for who know what in the USSR when it collapsed, so they came here looking for a new provider.

[The Ripper]

They've long been attracted to Sweden, which became a refugee magnet under Olof Palme. I imagine they prefer to be close to relatives, so they go to Finland.

Its simple: they come here because Finnish authorities let them come here and Finnish politicians want to provide for them on the expense of the Finnish tax payer.

[Joe McCarthy]

Its simple: they come here because Finnish authorities let them come here and Finnish politicians want to provide for them on the expense of the Finnish tax payer.

Well, it IS family reunification we're talking about, and Sweden is in close proximity. I'd be surprised if it didn't play some role.

The family reunification process is one way West Germany got flooded with Turks. Probably the main way in fact.

[Guapo]

I don't think Somalis are specifically attracted to Finland.

generous welfare benefits

Exactly, and you Fins think Russians drink alot. They won't work at all after immigrating there.