YLE: Aamulehti: Somali families reunited in record numbers in Finland
Somali families were reunited in record numbers this year in Finland, writes Aamulehti. At the end of July, applications for family reunification from Somalia have come to almost 2 500, which is more than the entire total from last year.
Immigration Service will evaluate the applications this year, 4 500, more than double the amount compared to last year. Last year, two applications were received from 2 200
One reunification form is always handled by one person.
Somali families due to large number of children, reunification is constantly on the increase. Families have an average of five children.
Aliens Act on the basis of nuclear family consists of parents and minor children. Family size can not be restricted by law.
Immigration agency says it will be able to resolve the current resources available to the 1 200 applications a year. According to EU legal acts the applications should be resolved within nine months.