Key facts
- Sweden's parliament passed a law requiring public sector workers to report undocumented migrants.
- Teachers, doctors, and social workers are exempt from the reporting requirement.
- The law applies to employees of tax, employment, social insurance, and prison services.
- Critics argue the law will create fear, harm migrants' health, and encourage racial profiling.
- The legislation passed with a narrow margin of 174 votes in favor and 172 against.
- A new law allows residency permits to be revoked for 'bad behaviour' such as unpaid debts or links to extremist groups.
Sweden's parliament has passed a law requiring public sector workers to report migrants who are not authorized to live in the country to the police. This measure, part of Sweden's broader efforts to tighten migration policies, passed with a narrow vote of 174 in favor and 172 against.
Employees of tax authorities, employment and social insurance agencies, and prison and probation services will be required to inform the police if they encounter individuals lacking the necessary documentation to reside in Sweden. Teachers, doctors, and social workers have been exempted from this reporting obligation following criticism.
Critics, including migration experts and human rights advocates, have voiced strong opposition. The Civil Rights Defenders group stated the law "undermines the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law." Concerns have been raised that the law could create a "climate of fear" and deter migrants from seeking essential services like healthcare, potentially impacting maternal and child health, and could encourage racial profiling.
Additionally, a separate but related law passed allows authorities to revoke immigrants' residency permits based on 'bad behaviour,' such as unpaid debts, not paying taxes, criminality, or links to extremist organisations. This law applies to pending and already granted permits, with decisions appealable to a migration court.