Sweden’s government has announced plans to introduce stricter immigration rules requiring migrants to demonstrate “honest living” or risk losing their residence permits.
The proposal, put forward by Migration Minister Johan Forssell, forms part of a broader push by the country’s right-wing administration to tighten immigration policies ahead of upcoming elections. Under the proposed law, authorities would be able to revoke residence permits for migrants who fail to comply with rules or engage in misconduct.
Forssell said: “Following laws and rules is a given, but it must also be a given that we do our best to live responsibly and not harm our country. If, for example, you ignore paying your debts, if you don’t comply with decisions from Swedish authorities, if you cheat the benefits system, if you cheat your way to a Swedish residence permit… then you do not have the right to be here.”
The government also cited other examples such as working without paying taxes or failing to settle fines. Ludvig Aspling, migration policy spokesman for the Sweden Democrats, said statements alone would not justify deportation but could indicate links to issues such as violent extremism. “Statements… should not in themselves be regarded as evidence of lack of honest living, but they may be an indication of… links to violent extremism,” he said.
The proposal would also allow permits to be revoked in broader circumstances, including if individuals are deemed a threat or found to have provided false information in their applications. If approved by parliament, the new rules are expected to come into effect on July 13.
