Unfounded asylum applications from Albanians have increased steeply
The number of Albanian asylum seekers has increased steeply in Finland. The number of Albanian asylum seekers was 71 in June and 25 in May. In July, around 150 asylum seekers have already arrived from Albania.
The Albanian asylum seekers have told that there are organised activities behind their arrival in Finland. According to the information received by the Finnish Immigration Service, similar cases have occurred in other parts of Europe. The people who have organised their journeys have told them that they can receive money for returning home if they are not issued with a residence permit.
Finland will not provide assistance for returning home if the assistance system is abused
Asylum seekers who have received a negative asylum decision can among others apply for assisted voluntary return. Assistance is provided for travel expenses and for reintegration in their home country. The system of assisted voluntary return aims to lower the costs of reception services, as well as of refusals of entry and deportations.
Assistance can be given either in cash or in kind. The amount of cash assistance depends on the country of return. An adult returning to Albania can receive 200 euros. An asylum seeker can get assistance only once.
An asylum seeker may receive a lower amount of assistance or be denied assistance if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that he or she intends to abuse the assistance system. A situation where a group of asylum seekers apply for assisted voluntary return immediately after entering the country can, for example, be an indication of possible abuse.
The amount of assistance can be increased due to age, disability, sickness, family situation or other personal reasons, as well as if the asylum seeker is a victim of human trafficking or an unaccompanied child.
All Albanians have received a negative decision
The Finnish Immigration Service considers the general security situation in Albania to be stable. All Albanians who have sought asylum this year have received a negative asylum decision.
Applications from Albanians have mainly been decided in an accelerated procedure as manifestly unfounded applications. Such applications can be processed and decided as quickly as within a few days.
This year, approximately 30 Albanians have received assistance for voluntary return. From the beginning of July, the reception centres and the Finnish Immigration Service have been responsible for providing assisted voluntary return. Before July, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) processed the applications for assisted voluntary return.
Further information
- Asylum applications and decisions: Juha Similä, Head of Section, Asylum Unit, tel. 0295 430 431, e-mail: juha.simila@migri.fi
- Assisted voluntary return: Inkeri Mellanen, Senior Adviser, Reception Unit, tel. 0295 430 431, e-mail: inkeri.mellanen@migri.fi
