Immigrant laws and rights in Iceland
Immigrant laws in Iceland • What do the immigrant laws in Iceland consist of? • Promoting the welfare of immigrants in the country. • Educating the public on issues concerning immigrants and immigration. • Dismantling discriminative ideas about immigrants. • Operating a multicultural center. • Operating a development fund for immigrants. • Operating establishments that take care of issues concerning immigrants. • The evaluation of the position of immigrants in society.
The Immigrant Council • The role of The Immigrant Council is • Consulting regarding issues concerning immigrants. • Ensuring the co-ordination and co-operation of each element of the state. • Promoting open discussion on immigrant issues. • Making a proposal of an annual budget plan for The Development Fund for Immigrants. • Making a proposal regarding subsidies from The Development Fund for Immigrants. • Reporting annual progress of The Immigrant Council. • Working on other projects regarding immigrants.
The Directorate of Immigration • The Directorate of Immigration is a part of the executive branch of government, being under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. • The Directorate of Immigration is responsible for issuing all residence permits for foreigners. • Foreigners can apply for a residence permits for example on the basis of international protection, studying and employment. • The Directorate works with many other institutions in Iceland such as the Ministry of Justice, the police, the Red Cross and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Our Conclusion and Recommendations • Integration must be effective and fair – it benefits both the newcomers and the locals. • The rights of immigrants need to be made known to them. • It is important for newcomers to know their rights. • Peolpe in the community need to open up and take an active part in welcoming newcomers. • Lack of communication causes isolation, therefore it is very important to learn the national language. • Immigrants need to feel like they belong. • It is important for newcomers to learn about traditions and culture – therefore it is important to involve them in events that have to do with food and culture.
Social inclusion
what can we as a community do to speed up social inclusion? • Don‘t think ‘us’ and ‘them,’ immigrants need to feel that they belong • Talk to our immigrant neighbors – use simple words or even sign language • Smile and say ‘hello’ and introduce yourself • Involve the newcomers in events that have to do with food and culture • Help them to get in contact with institutions, services, banks, sport activities etc. • Tell them about cultural traditions in the new community to help them adjust • Get the libraries involved