"Sweden finds no place for me yet remains unwilling to let me depart"
In the heart of Stockholm, Mahmut, a highly educated refugee from Turkey, finds himself in a peculiar situation. Despite meeting all the formal requirements for Swedish citizenship and having no criminal record, Mahmut's application remains pending after four years. The primary reason for this delay is the involvement of Sweden's security police, known as Säpo (Swedish Security Service).
Mahmut, who holds a PhD and has worked in a tech role with a major Swedish company, earning more than double the median salary, arrived in Sweden in 2017 with his family. He immediately applied for asylum, fleeing political problems in Turkey and feeling unsafe. His youngest daughter was granted Swedish citizenship at the end of 2023, and his wife was granted permanent residency. However, Mahmut's application and that of his eldest daughter are still awaiting approval.
The Swedish Migration Agency carefully reviews applications and supporting documents. If any ambiguity or concerns arise regarding security, they consult Säpo for a security assessment. This assessment can impact the timeline and outcome of the citizenship process, potentially causing extended waiting times. Such security checks are not always transparent to applicants, which can be frustrating for individuals like Mahmut who otherwise fulfill all the standard conditions for citizenship.
Mahmut is a former member of the Gülen movement, led by US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen. The movement was allied with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to 2013, but the alliance broke down due to governmental corruption allegations. In response, Erdogan declared the Gülen movement a terror movement and blamed it for an attempted 2016 coup. Mahmut returned to Turkey to work in 2013 but left due to the political problems that ensued.
Mahmut's father was kidnapped by Turkish authorities while working outside Turkey in 2016. Mahmut believes he is on a list somewhere and has been profiled by Säpo. During the background check, Mahmut was questioned about potential threats or offers of money to release secret information.
Despite these concerns, Mahmut's caseworker claims that they are waiting for approval from another government organization for Mahmut's citizenship application. Mahmut's information has been used by the Migration Agency to help refugees seek asylum in Sweden.
This dual-layer process—legal eligibility plus security vetting—is common in Sweden for citizenship applications, especially for refugees or applicants from countries considered sensitive from a security standpoint. This situation highlights the complexities and uncertainties that refugees face when seeking citizenship in a new country, even when they meet all the formal requirements.
[1] Mahmut meets all standard citizenship requirements (age, residence period, permanent permit, no criminal record); the Swedish Migration Agency processes the application but relies on security vetting by Säpo; Säpo’s security assessment can delay or complicate citizenship approval, even if no criminal record exists; this security-related review is the main reason for Mahmut’s ongoing wait despite apparent eligibility.
- Mahmut's situation is unique as he possesses a PhD and has worked in a tech role, yet his application for Swedish citizenship remains pending, despite having no criminal record.
- The Swedish Migration Agency, while reviewing Mahmut's application, consults Säpo for a security assessment if any ambiguities arise, leading to potential extended waiting times.
- Mahmut's eligibility for citizenship is not in question, as he meets all the standard requirements such as age, residence period, and a permanent permit.
- The delay in Mahmut's application is attributed to the security vetting by Säpo, which can complicate the citizenship approval process, even in the absence of a criminal record.
- Mahmut is a former member of the Gülen movement, a group that had political problems with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which the Turkish government has since labeled as a terror movement.
- Mahmut believes he is on a list and has been profiled by Säpo due to his association with the Gülen movement, leading to concerns during the background check and questions about potential threats or offers of money.
- Career development and lifelong learning are not Mahmut's only concerns, as he navigates the complicated citizenship process, which also involves education and self-development, personal finance, and general news.
- The complexities and uncertainties that refugees face when seeking citizenship in a new country are highlighted by Mahmut's situation, even when they meet all the formal requirements.
