An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Residence Permit Appeals at the Administrative Courts of Finland: Acquiescence Bias by Legalised Judicial Injustices in Finland

Abstract

Arctic law and politics are heavily focused on citizens and their welfare. In recent times, migration has led to an increase in immigrants to the Arctic region, expanding discussions on diversity, equality, and inclusion. This article analyses immigrant experiences of the wheels of justice when appealing extended-residence decisions in Finland. There has been research on residence applications but there is no previous research on appealing residence decisions in Finland. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the article analyses four Africans’ experiences of (in)justice during residence permit decision appeals lodged through the administrative courts in Finland 2011–2020. The article uses the Renault concept to argue and underscore the experiences of injustice and to underscore the gathered, analysed emerging themes and the patterns observed in the handling of the residence permit appeal cases from a legal and political perspective. The information was gathered through in-depth interviews using open-ended, structured questions, and the analysis of personal text and information was collated using MAXQDA software. The article highlights the incidences of human rights violations, injustice, mental health and well-being issues, inadequate information and distrust of the administrative justice system, and the risk that this poses to Arctic law and politics as right-wing politics are on the rise.