Sweden Unveils New Migration Policy Offering Incentives for Voluntary Return.
Sweden has announced a new migration policy that offers payments of up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (approximately $34,000) to immigrants who choose to leave the country voluntarily. This marks a notable shift from Sweden’s traditional approach to migration. The policy was revealed last week by the right-wing government and signals a departure from its long-standing role as a refuge for refugees and asylum seekers.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell emphasized the significance of this change during a press conference, stating, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.” The government, with the backing of the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, plans to implement the new payment structure starting in 2026.
Currently, immigrants who opt for voluntary return can receive 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a family cap of 40,000 kronor. The new plan significantly raises these amounts to encourage more immigrants to return to their home countries. The government hopes this step will help address the challenges of integrating immigrants, which have persisted over the years.
However, a recent inquiry commissioned by the government raised concerns about such a substantial increase in payments. Joakim Ruist, who led the inquiry, argued that offering large financial incentives could send a negative message, suggesting that migrants are not welcome. This could further complicate efforts to integrate immigrants into Swedish society.
Sweden’s new policy reflects a trend seen in other European countries that offer return grants, though the amounts differ significantly. For instance, Denmark provides over $15,000 per person, while Norway, France, and Germany offer smaller amounts of $1,400, $2,800, and $2,000, respectively.
For decades, Sweden has been known as a “humanitarian superpower,” but it has faced challenges in assimilating newcomers into society. The government believes that these revised grants will help alleviate some of these issues by incentivizing voluntary departures, although the policy remains a subject of debate within the country.
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