Maybe I see the situation for refugees differently than others, as my parents had to flee with only what they could carry twice during WWII from their part of Finland, and at the end of the war they lost their homes forever, and even if they were able to stay in their country, 10% of the population was displaced.
My grandparents are from Russia and Finland, they were living through the same thing.
My grandmother had to flee her family home and was put in a boat to Sweden at 16, in the middle of the night with noone she knew.
Guess what she did?
She started WORKING within weeks of her arrival to Sweden, (and it wasn't illegal then, the hotel took her right in) eventually found her relatives who could help her out.
(and guess what, they were working too.)
No benefits or excuses her entire life.
She met my granddad a few years later. A refugee as well. They always tried to talk me into doing the right thing.
My grandmothers advice about money was: rent first, then food. If you have anything left, save it.
I went back to Russia with my granddad in the early 90s to his village, only a few burned down houses remained. His own was gone completely.
I'll never forget the look on his face when he realized he couldn't find his house...
When he came to Sweden, the first thing he did was to enroll in an engineering high school. They accepted him after 2 years >> he had to learn the language first.
Got great degrees and worked as an engineer the rest of his life.
Refugees should always be welcomed, put safe and be given jobs, start-up options and an opportunity to learn the new language etc...
I remember it was like this in the 1980's (my mother was a teacher for immigrants).
It's just not like this anymore.
