Sweden enacts ‘conduct policy’ to expel troublesome immigrants.

On Monday, June 15, Sweden’s parliament enacted a law permitting authorities to revoke residency permits for immigrants based on misconduct, such as having unpaid debts, engaging in undeclared work, or affiliations with extremist organizations.

This legislation applies to both pending residency applications and previously granted permits, fitting within a broader effort by the right-wing government and its ally, the nationalist Sweden Democrats, to strengthen immigration regulations ahead of the parliamentary election in September.

This law has faced criticism from opposition parties and human rights organizations for being arbitrary, as it allows decisions based on behaviors that are not classified as criminal.
“The good behaviour law creates uncertainty, as individuals may not know which actions or expressions could be used against them,” stated Civil Rights Defenders, a Stockholm-based organization.

“It erodes the rule of law and undermines the principle of equality before the law.”

The government, which secured victory in the 2022 election on a commitment to reduce immigration and tackle crime, has asserted that those who misbehave or break the law are not welcome.

The legislation does not specify which behaviors are considered unacceptable, but the government has cited unpaid debts, tax evasion, criminality, and ties to extremist groups. The Migration Agency will be responsible for reviewing these permits, and decisions can be appealed in a migration court.

“Anyone who fails to make an effort to do the right thing shouldn’t expect to remain here,” Minister of Migration Johan Forssell remarked when presenting the bill in March.

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