SWEDEN - Worried about her immigration policy?

SWEDEN - Worried about her immigration policy?SWEDEN

The nation of Sweden opened her doors to tens of thousands of immigrants from Iraq and Somalia respectively, however, today many people are questioning this policy. At first, Sweden welcomed many Iraqi nationals, many who were Christians fleeing Islamic violence, but after taking in more than 40,000 from the former Iraq alone, and from other nations, then now tensions are emerging. So will Sweden tighten up her laws in order to maintain greater social unity or will a multi ethnic state develop?

To be fair to Sweden it is clear that her population is only small and her economic power is based on being unifed and focusing on high quality education. Therefore, her society developed amongst the secular traditions of this nation and culture united the people, and of course high technology abounded in this high tech nation. However, her resources are limited and her welfare state was designed to be a safety net and not based on maintaining a huge immigrant population, many who are fleeing terrible persecution.

Now strains can be seen within the capital of Sweden and other major cities, therefore, questions are now being raised about immigration, culture, religion, and the negative sides of immigration. To make matters worse, some immigrant groups are less likely to fit in within the cultural traditions of Sweden and this is also leading to tensions. Also, domestic welfare spending is increasing and this is creating socail pressures and the government is now re-thinking their many policies on this subject.

Of course, other Swedish people believe that the government is being too hasty. While others fear that the government is pandering to nationalists, therefore, the nation is divided on this issue. Yet some negative sides of immigration are emerging, irrespective if this is financial, or higher crime rates, or a loss of identity. Given this, the leaders of Sweden are now soul searching and trying to find an answer to this complex issue.

However, can they find a simple answer to this complex issue? Will tightening immigration laws work and does it fit in with the secular traditions of Sweden. Also, you have the positive side of immigration, so will Sweden miss out? These questions, and many others, are now being debated seriously and of couse the government must listen to the Swedish people.

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA