Sweden’s government moved forward on Tuesday with plans to tighten migrant requirements, with a report suggesting a bill that would mandate adherence to “honest living” or risk deportation.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell said at a press conference:
Citizens’ trust in immigration policy rests on a very fundamental principle, namely that those who come to Sweden and commit crimes, or who behave badly in another way, these people should not be here.
Since taking office in 2022, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s center-right minority government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has implemented increasingly strict measures.
Former judge Robert Schott has been tasked with examining the legality of further tightening migrant regulations. In a recent report, Schott proposed a bill that would make “honest living” a requirement for foreign-born residents. The measure would primarily apply to students, individuals with work permits, and their families, allowing authorities to use the principle to deny or revoke residence permits.
Beyond committing crimes, violations could include social benefits fraud, accumulating debt, public disturbances linked to drug addiction, or statements glorifying terrorism or otherwise “threatening the security” of Sweden, Forssell explained.
“Legislation will be stricter for this group of people who are not Swedish citizens,” he added.
