Rewind 20 years. Jalal Ibrahimpour has escaped from Iran to Norway. Here he wants to start a new and safe life, and work as a lorry driver. Before he left, he had heard that it was not wise to give his real name. In case the family in Iran were to be persecuted. That is why he used a different first name. It was a lie that has haunted him ever since. When he presented Iranian papers and his real name a few days later, his trust was lost to the Norwegian authorities. Norway did not want him, but could not return him to Iran either, which only accepts rejected asylum seekers if they want to go home themselves. Thus began 20 years on the sidelines of life. Almost no matter what he presents on paper, it is difficult to prove to the Norwegian authorities who he is, the lawyer tells Jalal. – The little lie has followed him for 20 years, says lawyer Ali Afshar. Photo: Oddgeir Sæle / news Amnesty: A new hope In 2019, the Solberg government agreed to create a one-time solution with amnesty for older, non-returnable asylum seekers. About 140 people applied, and 58 received a permit, according to the immigration board. – Jalal was probably the first to apply, says lawyer Ali Afshar. Not until 2022 could Jalal lower his shoulders. He then received a limited residence permit which must be renewed annually. That does not automatically give him the right to work. Jalal has been offered a job twice during the time he has been in Norway, without being able to accept. In Førde, he made a living by pawning bottles, and helped where someone needed it. Norwegian is self-taught. During 20 years, no one has offered him courses. In order for Jalal Ibrahimpour to be able to live a normal life again, he will try to get an Iranian passport which he can attach when he renews his residence permit. Photo: Oddgeir Sæle / news Gets support KrF leader Olaug Bollestad says that amnesty should give a full life. Her party was together with Left campaigners for the one-time solution. – For me, it is completely natural that when people get amnesty, they have been granted a stay here and must be part of us. Six parties have now presented a representative proposal that the government must present a new single-entry solution for long-term asylum seekers. In the proposal, they ask that those who have been granted a residence permit should have the same rights as Norwegian citizens. The proposal must be considered by the municipal and administrative committee. – The point of the amnesty scheme is to grant residence permits to long-term, irregular migrants. Such a permit will mean that they have the right to take up work, in addition to receiving some health rights, says justice policy spokesperson for Venstre, Ingvild Wetrhus Thorsvik. Meetings should be opposed Saxon Mayor Erlend Wiborg (Frp) believes it is a “particularly bad proposal”. He is a parliamentary representative and immigration policy spokesperson for the Frp. – It will be to appreciate people who have broken Norwegian law. I would much rather use the resources on those who have a real need for protection and those who are fleeing persecution and war, he says. He believes the proposal will lead to more people staying in Norway after they have been finally refused a residence permit. – It will then become attractive to stay illegally in Norway. He adds: – We are generally against granting amnesty to people who have stayed illegally in Norway. Hope a passport can help – The main rule is that a residence permit is required to be able to work in Norway, says Ingrid Olram, subject manager at UDI Protection. She comments on a general basis and says that persons who are granted a residence permit based on the single-entry solution for long-term asylum seekers also get the right to work. But that does not apply to limited residence permits. In order for Jalal Ibrahimpour to be able to live a normal life again, he will try to get an Iranian passport which he can attach when he renews his residence permit. But getting a passport is expensive. In addition, he must travel to Oslo to show his documents to the embassy. – But maybe my problems will be over then, says Ibrahimpour.
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Jalal has amnesty, but is still not allowed to work in Norway – news Vestland
