“The story of Iceland is the story of immigration”

The Icelandic Parliament (‘Alþingi’) saw a passionate – but mostly harmonious – debate today on the issue of immigrants and refugees coming to Iceland.

While differing to some extent in nuance and focus, MPs reached something of a cross-party consensus on the humanitarian, social and economic case for welcoming immigrants and refugees into Iceland and on the need for formulating a clearer, more open and more compassionate policy on immigration.

A positive tone of solidarity

Here are some of the points made by speakers in today’s debate:

• “It is clear that the economic impact of taking in refugees is positive. The government has invested ISK 2 billion (approx. €14 million) in taking in refugees, for projects abroad, and other refugee-related issues.” – Bjarni Benediktsson MP, Finance Minister (Independence Party)

• “People coming here want to live and work but the legal framework stops them from doing so. National prosperity in the 21^st century may depend to a large degree on how willing countries are to accept immigrants.” – Guðmundur Steingrímsson MP (Bright Future)

• “Today’s Iceland is as a rule a closed country – only opening up when we can see some special benefit. People are a treasure. Iceland needs to open up more.” – Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson MP (Pirate Party)

• “All research shows that the effect of taking in immigrants is positive, particularly as they are much more likely to be innovative than locals.” – Sigurjón Kjærnested MP (Progressive Party)

• “The refugee debate in Iceland is often superficial. It is right to point out the economic benefits of taking in refugees, but the motivation to do so should always be humanitarian, not profit-based.” – Björgvin G. Sigurðsson MP (Social Democratic Alliance)

• “The story of Iceland is the story of immigration. This debate should be based on humanitarian concerns – lending a helping hand to brothers and sisters in need. This is an issue, but it is not a problem.” – Steingrímur J. Sigfússon MP (Left-Green Movement)

Robert Marshall MP (Bright Future), who had opened the debate, welcomed the positive tone of his fellow MPs, saying he hoped this atmosphere of solidarity would still be around when it came to voting on legal amendments on immigration issues.