Max Hjelm: If he is not considered Swedish enough, who is?

A Swedish newspaper is questioning the country's citizenship criteria through the story of Zeeshan Haidari Lövestam Öberg. Haidari arrived in Sweden over a decade ago as a 15-year-old refugee. He has since adopted a Swedish surname, converted to Christianity, and speaks Swedish with a local accent. He works at a residential care home while studying to become a social worker. Despite his integration, Haidari holds permanent residency but cannot obtain citizenship. The Migration Agency doubts the authenticity of his Afghan identity documents. The newspaper argues that while defining who can become Swedish is necessary, cases like Haidari's, which challenge the application of rules, warrant closer examination. This situation echoes debates surrounding the deportation of teenagers, which many Swedes felt went too far in its strictness. The article points out that many Afghans and Somalis face similar hurdles in proving their identity for citizenship applications, even as Afghan men, in particular, show high employment rates, indicating successful integration. Amid ongoing discussions about "Swedishness," including language and values, the newspaper notes that proposed citizenship tests and stricter requirements could further complicate matters. Haidari himself expressed concern about potential revocations of permanent residency, questioning the prospect of living in Sweden with constant risk of expulsion from their "homeland." Looking at a photograph of Haidari outside his adoptive family's home, the article reflects on belonging. It poses the question: if he is not considered Swedish enough, then who is?

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Now the government is also talking about revoking permanent residency. Should thousands of us live temporary lives in Sweden, where we constantly risk being thrown out of our homeland?