The Swedish parliament approved a law that requires certain public officials to inform the police about individuals in the country without legal residency rights. The decision sparked intense debate and was passed by a margin of just two votes.
Sweden has taken another step towards tightening its immigration policy. On Monday, the country's parliament approved a law requiring employees of certain government agencies to report to the authorities individuals who are believed to be in the country without the necessary residency documents.
A total of 174 deputies voted in favor of the law, while 172 opposed it. Such a narrow margin shows how contentious this issue has become among politicians and in society.
The new rules will affect employees of the tax service, employment agencies, the social security system, the penitentiary and probation services, as well as some other government structures. If an employee has reason to believe that a person is in the country illegally, they will be required to pass this information on to the police.
However, representatives of certain professions whose work involves special trust are exempt from the law. Exceptions have been made for teachers, doctors, and social workers.
The law is part of a broader policy aimed at strengthening control over migration and accelerating the return of individuals who do not have the right to remain in Sweden. For the authorities, a key task remains to improve the efficiency of deportation procedures. The government believes that public institutions should help identify people who are staying in the country illegally.
However, critics warn of potential consequences. They argue that the new rules may lead migrants to avoid contact with government institutions for fear of information being passed to law enforcement.
The discussion surrounding the law goes far beyond immigration policy. It is essentially about finding a balance between enforcing the law and protecting human rights.
Earlier, a group of researchers from Swedish universities stated that such measures could contribute to racial profiling and create additional risks for vulnerable groups. Representatives of human rights organizations also warn that the obligation to report individuals without documents could undermine trust in state institutions.
The adoption of the law comes against the backdrop of changes in immigration policy within the European Union. The new EU-wide rules provide for faster procedures for reviewing cases and deporting individuals who have been denied the right to stay.
The new law has become one of the most controversial immigration decisions in Sweden in recent years and is likely to remain a subject of public and political debate for a long time.
