Fact: Internal alien controls
2023 to May: 8,677
2022: 10,630
2021: 9,373
2020: 10,855
2019: 13,157
2018: 14,070
2017: 23,469
Source: The police
The government and SD agree on a series of tightening of the so-called internal controls on foreigners. It is the tool the police have to search for people who reside illegally in Sweden.
Now the government is proposing in a legislative council referral that an opportunity be introduced for the police to body search people at these checks to search for passports or other identification documents.
The police will also be provided with passports and IDs, and it will be easier to take the person with them for a shorter period of time (maximum six hours) to investigate their right to stay in Sweden.
“The aim is to ensure that the authorities have the tools needed to prevent people from staying illegally in the country and thus combat the shadow society,” says Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).
Tougher proposals are delayed
The legislative proposals also apply to the Coast Guard, which also has the option of carrying out internal checks on foreigners.
The proposals are based on an investigation that was appointed by the former S government. The Tidö parties actually want to go further. According to the Tidö agreement, the police must also be able to dispose of and empty mobile phones, examine luggage and take DNA samples.
But it is something that must be investigated and when that investigation is completed, the Minister of Migration cannot answer.
Few lead to action
The police’s internal controls on foreigners have declined over a number of years. This year, the government demands that the number of checks be increased by at least 25 percent. The police have also checked significantly more so far this year compared to the corresponding period last year.
But eight out of ten controls are left without further action. Not even one in ten leads to a detention or deportation.
— It is a complex business. But one in ten that you discover who do not have the right to stay in the country are extremely important, and if you carry out more checks, you will also discover more who are staying here illegally, says Malmer Stenergard.
The bill on new tools for internal alien controls now goes to the Legislative Council. The law is proposed to enter into force on 1 January 2024.