The government and the Sweden Democrats want all foreign criminals who are sentenced to penalties stricter than fines to generally also be deported. The ambition is for Sweden to have the toughest regulations for criminal deportations in the Nordic region.

On Thursday, the Tidö government will decide on a legislative council referral with proposals that will make it easier to deport foreign nationals who commit crimes. The purpose is to support a regulated and fair migration policy that prioritizes the safety of crime victims and law-abiding citizens. The proposed laws are expected to lead to a sixfold increase in criminal deportations.

Currently, the number of verdicts resulting in deportation compared to the total number of rulings against foreign nationals is very low. A foreign criminal can only be sentenced to deportation if the prison term is at least six months or if there is a risk of repeat offenses.

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During the years 2020–2023, an average of 496 judgments per year including deportation decisions were handed down in district courts — corresponding to 2.8 percent of all verdicts against foreign nationals (17,464 in total).

Court judges will also no longer be permitted to refrain from issuing deportation orders simply because there are limited prospects at that moment to enforce deportation.

– Now Sweden is getting the toughest regulations for criminal deportations in the Nordic region. Those who come to Sweden and commit crimes have used up Swedish hospitality and should be deported. Ultimately, it is about standing up for the victims and all law-abiding people. Step by step, we are making migration policy fairer, says Minister for Migration Johan Forssell (M).

– For far too long, severely criminal and dangerous foreign nationals have been allowed to stay despite being convicted of serious crimes. With these strong measures, we are now changing that and ensuring that we maintain the Swedish people’s confidence in the judicial and migration system, says Ludvig Aspling, migration policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.

Press conference:

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