Source: CBC News
A Swedish city overwhelmed by refugees from Iraq is running out of resources to help them, its mayor says.
"It's impossible. I think we [are] coming to the end now," Sodertalje Mayor Anders Lago told CBC News. "We must stop."
Sodertalje, with a population of 82,000, has taken in twice as many refugees from Iraq as the United States. Sweden has become a favoured destination for people fleeing Iraq. The country's immigration service reports that 10,800 Iraqis requested asylum between January and July 2007, up from 8,950 for the whole of 2006. The government provides those who request asylum with money, education and help finding a job and a home.
Sweden modified its refugee policy in July, as homes and jobs filled up. Iraqis seeking asylum now have to prove that their lives are in danger before they will be granted refugee status.
Swedish officials are frustrated with other countries' reluctance to take in more Iraqi refugees, Adrienne Arsenault reported from Sodertalje.
"One official said it's as if asylum seekers are pushed out of other countries and right into Sweden … because [they] know the Swedes will take care of it," she said.
Fewer than 400 Iraqi refugees were accepted to Canada last year. Officials expect that number to increase to 1,400 this year.
With files from the Associated Press
"It's impossible. I think we [are] coming to the end now," Sodertalje Mayor Anders Lago told CBC News. "We must stop."
Sodertalje, with a population of 82,000, has taken in twice as many refugees from Iraq as the United States. Sweden has become a favoured destination for people fleeing Iraq. The country's immigration service reports that 10,800 Iraqis requested asylum between January and July 2007, up from 8,950 for the whole of 2006. The government provides those who request asylum with money, education and help finding a job and a home.
Sweden modified its refugee policy in July, as homes and jobs filled up. Iraqis seeking asylum now have to prove that their lives are in danger before they will be granted refugee status.
Swedish officials are frustrated with other countries' reluctance to take in more Iraqi refugees, Adrienne Arsenault reported from Sodertalje.
"One official said it's as if asylum seekers are pushed out of other countries and right into Sweden … because [they] know the Swedes will take care of it," she said.
Fewer than 400 Iraqi refugees were accepted to Canada last year. Officials expect that number to increase to 1,400 this year.
With files from the Associated Press