-Pix above: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
The Swedish government has announced a plan to give up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (about $34,000 or ₦56,284,960) in grants to immigrants who voluntarily leave the country from 2026.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell disclosed this during a press conference, and described the initiative as a “paradigm shift in our migration policy.”
The substantial increase in grants, as reported, is designed to encourage more immigrants to choose voluntary repatriation. Previously, the grant was limited to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a maximum of 40,000 kronor per family.
Ludvig Aspling from the Sweden Democrats commented on the change, saying, “The grant has been around since 1984, but it is relatively unknown. It is small and relatively few people use it.”
Aspling suggested that the increased visibility and value of the grant could lead to a higher number of immigrants taking up the offer.
Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality, told reporters the government would review Swedish legislation to determine if there were specific grounds for revoking residence permits.
However, she listed potential examples of “shortcomings in lifestyles,” including benefits fraud, debt, a dishonest livelihood, substance abuse, as well as association with criminal networks or violent and extremist groups “threatening basic Swedish values”.
Brandberg said the review would also look into “whether it’s possible and appropriate to include statements that seriously threaten basic Swedish democratic values.”
“If there is something other than these democratic values you wish for, or even actively work against what Sweden stands for, then it is simply not here you should live,” Brandberg said.
“A basic principle of Swedish immigration law is that only Swedish citizens have an unconditional right to reside in Sweden,” Ludvig Aspling, migration spokesman for the Sweden Democrats, told reporters.
Former judge Robert Schott was appointed to head the review, which is to report by mid-January 2025.
Speaking to public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer also announced a probe looking at increasing powers on revoking citizenship.
Further reports inform Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who came to power in 2022 with a minority coalition supported by the Sweden Democrats, has made immigration and crime reduction central to his agenda.
The Sweden Democrats, now Sweden’s second-largest party with 20.5 percent of the vote, have influenced the government’s stance on immigration.
We are also enlightened by the fact that Sweden has welcomed a large number of migrants since the 1990s from countries including the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran and Iraq.
The country is said to face consistent challenges in integrating immigrants into its society. This new grant policy is part of a broader effort to address these integration difficulties and manage migration more effectively.
By significantly increasing financial support for voluntary repatriation, the policy aims to encourage more immigrants to return to their home countries.
Despite advice against the increase from a recent inquiry, the government has proceeded with the change, indicating a strong commitment to its migration agenda. This development is expected to impact the future approach to immigration and integration in Sweden.(agency)///
