Sweden no longer haven for Iraqi refugees

In an article in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times, writer Kim Murphy tells the story of Naseir, an Iraqi Christian man who took his family from Baghdad to Sweden, but is now facing deportation as the Scandinavian country tightens its standards for Iraqi asylum seekers.

Earlier this year an appeals court ruled that there is no armed conflict in Iraq, exacting a major blow to Iraqis looking to join the thousands of their brethren who have already gained refuge in Sweden. Approvals on Iraqi asylum cases have dropped from 72 percent last year to 43 percent this year.

“I’m afraid that what is really happening is the system is sending political signals to the courts and to the migration boards,” said Kalle Larsson, a Left Party member of parliament who has sought to preserve asylum opportunities in Sweden. “And these signals are saying, ‘There are too many people coming to Sweden.’”

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