NordenBladet — On 23 June, the Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments draft legislative amendments that would support preparedness for a possible mass influx of migrants. The need for change has been identified in the development work that the authorities have been carrying out since 2015.The reception act would clarify the coordination of preparedness for a mass influx of migrants. The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the reception system for asylum seekers. In the event of a mass influx of migrants, the Finnish Immigration Service has the lead in operational responsibility in this respect. Therefore, provisions on its coordinating role and tasks should be laid down at the level of an act of Parliament too.Low number of new asylum applicationsA mass influx of migrants is a situation in which reception centres for asylum seekers, including additional accommodation, are reaching maximum capacity and there is a constant influx of new migrants, with more arriving than leaving the country. Such a situation may arise gradually or abruptly, because of the massive displacement of people from a country towards Finland, for example.Jorma Kantola, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 215, [email protected]
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi