Sweden Introduces Law for Revoking Immigrants’ Residency Based on Misbehavior

Sweden’s parliament has passed legislation allowing authorities to revoke immigrants’ residency permits based on certain behaviors, such as unpaid debts or links to extremist organizations. The law applies to pending and already granted permits and is part of a broader tightening of immigration rules by the right-wing government and its support party, the Sweden Democrats, ahead of September parliamentary elections.

Critics, including opposition parties and human rights groups, argue that the law is arbitrary as it punishes non-criminal behavior. The Civil Rights Defenders stated that the law leaves people uncertain about what actions or expressions could be used against them, undermining the rule of law and equality before the law.

The government, which won the 2022 election on a promise to reduce immigration and crack down on crime, maintains that those who misbehave or commit crimes are not welcome. The Migration Agency is tasked with reviewing permits, with decisions appealable in migration court. Minister of Migration Johan Forssell proposed the bill in March, emphasizing that those unwilling to do the right thing should not expect to stay.