Speaking of the Swedes, I see that they’re following their Danish cousins and getting serious about immigration and citizenship:
The right-wing coalition government in Sweden has announced plans to significantly increase the threshold to obtain citizenship in the country, including a prohibition on migrants who fail to learn the native language.
The Swedish Ministry of Justice said this week that a series of new citizenship requirements will take effect by June 6th of this year. The ministry said that the measures will seek to “strengthen the importance of citizenship and increase incentives for individuals to become part of Swedish society, which also strengthens the Swedish community.”
According to the MoJ, the government will require migrants to live in the country for at least eight years to become eligible for citizenship, up from the current five-year standard.
It will also become necessary to demonstrate “self-sufficiency”, with a monthly income of around 20,000kr ($2,250).
Finally, prospective citizens will now have to demonstrate the ability to speak Swedish and knowledge of Swedish society.
All good stuff, and all quite reasonable qualifications to joining what is, after all, one of the more civilized nations of the world.
The only thing I’d add — were I a Swede at that level of power and influence — would be a limit on non-citizen residence to eight years: in other words, if you don’t become a citizen after eight years, then out you go. Once again, quite reasonable.