Sweden intends to kick out up to 80,000 migrants who arrived last year and have had their asylum application rejected, the country announced recently.
Interior Minister Anders Ygeman said the Swedish government had asked the police and authorities in charge of migrants to organize their removal.
Sweden's government is actively pursuing policies to limit new arrivals and deport individuals without legal grounds to remain. These efforts are part of a broader shift in Swedish migration policy, moving away from its previous open stance.
Key aspects of Sweden's current approach include:
- Reduced Refugee Quotas: Sweden has significantly decreased the number of resettled refugees it accepts annually. The quota was reduced from 5,000 in 2022 to 900 in 2024 as per the Tidö Agreement.
- Deportation Efforts: The Swedish Migration Agency has announced plans to focus on the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. The government is working on measures to increase the number of people leaving the country who do not have a legal basis for residence.
- Incentivized Departure: There have been reports and discussions about offering financial incentives for immigrants to leave Sweden and return to their home countries.
- Stricter Policies: The general shift towards stricter immigration and integration policies is a response to various economic and social challenges, including concerns over rising gang violence and integration issues.
- Reverse Migration: Official statistics show a trend of "reverse migration," with a significant number of people, including both immigrants and Swedish-born individuals, leaving the country for various reasons, such as difficulties adapting or economic conditions.