Sweden’s parliament approved a new law on Monday that lets authorities revoke migrants’ residence permits for misconduct, including unpaid debts, undeclared work, tax evasion, or ties to extremist groups. The measure can be used not only to cancel permits already granted, but also to block applications now under review. It is part of a broader tightening of immigration rules by Sweden’s center-right government, which relies on outside support from the far-right Sweden Democrats ahead of September’s parliamentary election.
Immigration Minister Johan Forssell said in March, when presenting the bill, that “Anyone who does not make an effort to do the right thing should not feel safe that they will stay here.” The government says people who behave improperly or commit crimes are not welcome in Sweden. The new law does not precisely define all prohibited conduct, but the government cited unpaid debts, tax nonpayment, criminal acts and links to extremist organizations as examples. The Migration Agency has been instructed to review permits, and anyone stripped of status will be able to appeal to an immigration court.
The law drew criticism from the opposition and human rights groups, who argue it is arbitrary because permits can be revoked based on behavior that is not itself defined as criminal. Stockholm-based Civil Rights Defenders said the so-called “good behavior law” leaves people uncertain about what actions or statements could be used against them, and warned that it undermines the rule of law and equality before the law.
On the same day, parliament also approved a controversial “snitch law” requiring many public-sector workers to report suspected undocumented migrants. The measure passed by just two votes, 174 in favor and 172 against. Critics say it will create fear, harm migrants’ physical and mental health, and encourage racial profiling. Teachers, doctors and social workers were exempted after heavy criticism, but workers in agencies such as the tax authority, employment service and social insurance office must report suspected cases to police.
