Sweden is reforming its immigration rules regarding the deportation of minors – Euronews
The Swedish government has announced a major reform of immigration rules, significantly easing its approach to the status of migrant children. The new changes abolish a controversial practice that allowed teenagers to be deported once they reached the age of majority, even if their parents were officially permitted to remain in the country.
This was reported by Euronews.
This move is the government’s official response to long-standing criticism of the strict asylum system introduced following the 2015 European migration crisis. Previously, minors who arrived in Sweden with their families were required to leave the country immediately upon turning 18 if their personal legal status did not meet the strict residency requirements. The Swedish Migration Agency suspended such deportations back in March, pending a final decision from the government.
Under the approved reform, the age threshold at which migrants will be considered adults in such cases is raised from 18 to 21. Individuals who already have active deportation orders now have the legal right to reapply for a residence permit. Those teenagers who have already been forced to leave Sweden will be able to submit a new application online or through diplomatic missions if they held a residence permit under the family reunification program within the last three years. Migration Minister Johan Forssell emphasized that the updated rules will provide law-abiding teenagers with a real opportunity to study, work, and successfully integrate into Swedish society.
The Netherlands is actively promoting an initiative to create the European Union’s first repatriation hubs outside the European bloc, where migrants who have lost or never obtained the right to stay in the EU will be forcibly deported. Currently, Amsterdam is conducting substantive negotiations with several foreign countries regarding the location of such facilities.
In March, more than 200 illegal migrants attempted to enter Poland from Belarus.
