Swedish bill imposes stricter measures to curb immigration

The Swedish government has submitted a new draft resolution to Parliament, which imposes more stringent measures to limit immigration and reduce the chances of acquiring permanent residency.

According to what was reported by “Euro News”, the new law, if approved, gives refugees in Sweden residence permits for a period of three years, provided that they do not turn into a right to permanent residence, unless specific requirements are met, such as knowledge of the Swedish language or integration into Swedish society or Adequate income.

The draft law stipulates that the applicant for family reunification must be able to provide support for members of his family, and that his criminal record is free of serious crimes.

“With this project, Sweden is no longer a magnet for asylum seekers as it was in 2014 and 2015,” Swedish Immigration Minister Morgan Johansson said at a press conference, commenting on the new draft.

The Swedish Minister of Immigration pointed out that “these basic rules are in line with those in force in most other European Union countries,” adding that the proposal “guarantees a long-term sustainable regulatory framework.”

It is expected that the new legislation will enter into force next July, if it is approved by the Swedish Parliament.

The new Swedish bill comes after Denmark’s decision last March to deport about 100 Syrian refugees from the capital, Damascus, under the pretext that it “has become safe,” according to what was announced by the Danish Minister of Immigration, Matthias Tesfai.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees declared in a statement last Friday that it “does not consider the recent security improvements in parts of Syria sufficiently substantial, stable or permanent to justify ending international protection for any group of refugees.”