Trending 
The government of Sweden has announced plans to significantly increase the deportation of immigrants convicted of crimes, proposing that offences carrying penalties beyond fines should generally result in removal from the country.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell said authorities believe the current system has been too lenient toward foreign offenders, indicating that tougher measures are needed to address the issue.
Under the proposed legislation, prosecutors would be required to seek deportation as part of sentencing in applicable cases, rather than treating it as a discretionary decision.
Officials estimate the reforms could raise deportations to around 3,000 annually, about six times the current average of roughly 500 per year.
The bill will now be submitted to Sweden’s legislative review body for scrutiny before it is presented to parliament. Authorities aim to have the law take effect on September 1.
The move comes as Sweden continues to grapple with organised violent crime, much of it linked to gang activity and competition within the drug trade. While fatal shootings have declined in recent years, incidents involving explosions have risen, according to official data.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s administration, which took office in 2022 with support from the Sweden Democrats, has prioritised stricter immigration and crime policies.
Since assuming power, the government has expanded police authority, introduced tougher sentencing measures, and proposed additional steps targeting youth crime, including lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13.
