History of immigration policy as old as the Finnish state itself
Antero Leitzinger’s doctoral dissertation Ulkomaalaispolitiikka Suomessa 1812–1972 (Finnish Immigration Policy 1812–1972) reveals that immigration and immigration policy are not new phenomena in Finland, where it is generally believed that the growth in the number of foreigners began in the 1970s. That immigration originated in 1973 is nevertheless a myth – every time researchers infiltrate the dense jungle of statistics the number of immigrants and their impact show themselves to be greater than anticipated.
The history of immigration policy reaches as far back in time as the unified Finnish state. When the province of Vyborg was incorporated in the Grand Duchy of Finland growth began both in the number of Finns living outside Finland and in foreigners living within her borders. Regulation of their immigration and residence required legislation and, from 1918, a centralised immigration administration. Finland was already offering asylum to many Russians, Estonians and Russian Jews even before her independence.
Finnish officials became involved in international cooperation and found solutions to many difficult immigration policy challenges. Some wartime repatriations to Germany and the Soviet Union were arduous and debatable for Finns, but their judicial and political difficulties, too, were taken seriously. Malfeasance occurred only in isolated cases. Even in the troubled arena of post-war foreign politics Finland took care of its refugee policy in a businesslike, if low-key, fashion.
Foreigners also came to Finland for reasons of study, work or marriage. Occasionally, the interest of politicians was drawn towards immigrants in matters of health, property ownership, commerce, employment, alleviation of poverty and education. Immigration policy was linked to travel, foreign policy, visa and passport requirements, cultural influences, student and trainee exchanges and the establishment of national associations and associations for religious communities. The negative impact, or even fear, generated by vagrancy, crime and antipathy towards foreigners should also not be overlooked.
The history of immigration policy demonstrates that immigration has been exerting a diversity of influences on Finnish society for some considerable time. Situations have followed a fluctuating path and immigration policy on the whole has reacted haphazardly to the questions of the moment, although the same questions are recurring continually. Success in overall immigration policy has been demonstrated to a perhaps surprising degree.
Leitzinger’s doctoral dissertation follows on from his earlier book Ulkomaalaiset Suomessa 1812–1972 (Foreigners in Finland 1812–1972). The dissertation will be defended in Turku on 17 June.
Further information can be obtained from Country Information Researcher Antero Leitzinger, Finnish Immigration Service, e-mail: antero.leitzinger@migri.fi, tel. +358 71 873 0431.
Personal details of the doctoral candidate
Antero Leitzinger was born in Helsinki in 1962 and graduated from the Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu in 1981. He studied political history at the universities of Helsinki, Turku and Zürich (Master of Political Science 1988, Licentiate in Political Science 2005) and has been employed since 1998 as a Country Information Researcher at the Directorate of Immigration/Finnish Immigration Service. The subject of his licentiate dissertation completed at the University of Turku in 2005 was the history of Finland’s oldest Muslim community.
In addition to his research work Leitzinger has published dozens of books on immigration history and the history of ideology, as well as travel guides.
In his free time Leitzinger likes to travel and to indulge in his favourite sport of chess.
12.6.2008
