The Appeals Board for Immigration Matters has confirmed the Directorate of Immigration’s decision to expel a Venezuelan mother and her two children, one of whom is multiply disabled, RÚV reported today. The ruling means the family, whose case had attracted significant media attention, will be required to leave the country.
According to RÚV, one of the woman’s children is multiply disabled and would not receive appropriate health care if returned to Venezuela. The mother, reportedly in her early thirties, had sought to remain in Iceland, but authorities rejected her case after a formal appeals process.
The Directorate of Immigration initially made the decision to expel the family. Critical responses to the decision appeared in Icelandic media, including opinion pieces published by Vísir and Mannlíf, both titled ‘Nú er komið að þér, Kristrún!’ which expressed strong opposition to the outcome. The pieces reflect a notable public debate over the treatment of families facing expulsion and the level of care available for people with disabilities in their countries of origin.
Background
RÚV is Iceland’s national public broadcaster and provides news and analysis on national issues. Landspítali University Hospital (Landspítali) is the main clinical hospital in Iceland, operating various services in the Reykjavik area and including the psychiatric hospital Kleppur. The case highlights the challenges families with complex medical needs may face in migration and asylum proceedings in Iceland.
Sources
- RÚV (first reported) in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
- Mannlíf in Icelandic
