Sweden toughens its immigration policy with a law allowing the expulsion of foreigners for "misconduct"

The Swedish Parliament has passed a new law authorizing authorities to revoke the residence permits of immigrants for behavior deemed inappropriate, even when it does not necessarily constitute a criminal offense. This reform is part of the tightening of immigration policy pursued by the right-wing government in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for September.

The text stipulates that residence permits can be revoked for various reasons, including unpaid debts, undeclared work, tax evasion, or links to organizations considered extremist. The law will apply not only to new applications but also to certain permits already granted.

The government, supported in Parliament by the nationalist Sweden Democrats party, claims that this measure aims to strengthen the requirements imposed on people wishing to reside in the country. According to the government, foreigners who do not respect the rules or adopt behavior deemed incompatible with the values ​​of Swedish society should not be able to retain their right to remain.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the reform, arguing that those granted a residence permit must demonstrate their willingness to respect the country's laws and civic obligations. During the presentation of the proposal, he stated that those who fail to make the effort to "do the right thing" should not be able to count on a right to permanent residency.

The reform, however, has sparked considerable controversy. Opposition parties and several human rights organizations denounce the text as too vague and potentially arbitrary. They fear that important decisions could be made based on behavior that falls outside the scope of criminal law.

The human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders warned that the law could create legal uncertainty for many foreign residents. According to the organization, those affected may not know precisely what behaviors or statements could be used against them.

Decisions to revoke permits will be reviewed by the Swedish Migration Agency and may be appealed to specialized courts. Despite criticism, the government considers this reform a central element of its strategy to reduce immigration and address the concerns of some voters regarding security and integration.