Essays on immi­gration: family-based

This is the third part of the series “Essays on immigration”. Earlier parts of the series have covered the immigration debate and the scale of immigration . Later pieces have been published on labour-based immigration , those who came to study , those granted asylum , asylum seekers and myths about immigration .

Who does family-based immigration concern?

When a person moves to Finland on the basis of family ties, their integration into society does not start from zero. In this case, a spouse, child or parent of the immigrant already lives in Finland.

We do, however, need to help the newcomer integrate into Finland.

If the family member already living in Finland holds a residence permit, they must earn enough each month to support their spouse, child or parent as well. It is perfectly reasonable to have a debate about the income thresholds for this. If, however, the family member living in Finland is a Finnish citizen or a person granted asylum who meets certain conditions , the income thresholds do not apply. Regardless of whether the immigrant’s family member is a citizen or not, we do need to help the newcomer integrate into Finland.

How can integration be supported?

For a spouse or parent, supporting integration can mean many different things. It can mean information about their rights in Finland available in their own language. It can mean Finnish language courses or help entering the labour market. Yle News or Kela’s website in the immigrant’s own language can be just as important as a job or a hobby. Organisations supporting immigrants also play a critical role in integration. Immigrant mothers in particular have faced challenges in integration, and it is important to direct resources towards challenges of this kind. In the worst case, an immigrant may receive no information at all about their rights and obligations.

For an underage child, integration primarily means participating in early childhood education or a preparatory class before school. Participation in hobbies also helps with integration. All of this requires, however, that the parents know these opportunities exist and know how to get their children into them.

No one integrates into a society in which they cannot find anyone close to them.

Why is family the cornerstone of integration?

In all of this, the most important thing to keep in mind is one thing: no one integrates into a society in which they cannot find anyone close to them.

8 December: added information that income thresholds do not apply to those granted asylum who meet certain conditions.