Finland to tighten student immigration rules

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Finland's Finance Minister and Finns Party chair Riikka Purra announced on Sunday that the government would introduce tougher immigration rules for students.

Speaking at a meeting of the Finns Party council in Helsinki, Purra said that the government plans to introduce stricter student immigration rules with an announcement to come "before Christmas," according to broadcaster Yle.

Criticizing the previous government’s rule changes, she said they made it too easy for students and their families to move to Finland, adding that "they are now queuing in bread lines."

Purra also announced that her party is launching a campaign to promote the Finnish language under the slogan “In Finnish, thanks.”

Emphasizing the need to “cherish” the language, she reiterated the importance of immigrants being able to study Finnish.