When it comes to the public debate, there are, at times, large differences within Scandinavia in the field of immigration as well. To an increasing extent, welfare state issues have been focused on when immigration has been publicly discussed. Is the welfare state too kind to immigrants, or not kind enough? In many ways this question sums up the basic structure of the Nordic immigration debate and policy in recent years, and it is probably a reminder of the key position held by the welfare state. Over the past few years, the tone of the Danish debate has hardened, with more immigration critical voices making themselves heard than previously. Danish policy has also become more restrictive in both immigration control and social policies. Something of the same development has been seen in Norway, although not to the same extent. As in Denmark, a critical spotlight has been focused on family immigration policy in the wake of debates about
forced marriages and suppression of women. In addition, the authorities have signalled a tightening of the asylum area, including possible cuts in support for asylum-seekers. Changes to immigration legislation and the social rights of new arrivals have not, however, been as marked as in Denmark. Sweden has been the exception among the Nordic countries regarding the climate of the debate and actual policies: the country has been more cautious about implementing a comprehensive tightening of immigration policy, and right
up to the present day it has had a more subdued tone in the public debate.
This is despite the fact that the country underwent considerable retrenchment measures in welfare policy the early 1990s as the result of a serious economic crisis. So on a ‘kindness’ continuum, Sweden has often been at one extreme, Denmark at the other, and Norway in a slightly vacillating middle position. This picture is also reflected in the Migrant Integration Policy Index, which measures the policies of 28 European countries in terms of the inclusion of immigrants (in the form of giving them rights): Sweden tops the list; Norway is eighth; and Denmark shares 21st place...
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