Asylum seekers must be gathered at the reception center and must not live outside the community. This was announced by Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) and Jimmie Åkesson (SD) in a joint statement on Tuesday.

Source:Aftonbladet

Susanna Nygren

Updated 14:45 | Published 13:22

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  • Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) and Jimmie Åkesson (SD) announced that asylum seekers should not live outside the community, but gather at reception centers.
  • The proposal includes the establishment of 1,000 new storage places and is estimated to cost SEK 295 million in 2024, which should reduce costs by SEK 2.2 billion.
  • The decision is part of a more restrictive asylum policy in Sweden, with a focus on increasing the proportion of returning asylum seekers.

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Asylum seekers will no longer be allowed to live outside the community. That proposal was presented by Minister of Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) and Jimmie Åkesson (SD) at a press meeting inside the detention center in Åstorp on Tuesday.

– A reception center will be set up, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.

The proposal means that the asylum seekers will gather at various reception centers around the country. They will live there and will have a reporting obligation.

– It will be an accommodation where you are expected to stay and have your 24-hour rest. You should not be imprisoned for seeking asylum.

Those who come and already have relatives in place. Will they not be allowed to live with them?

– No, what is our goal with the legislation we are now developing is that everyone should live in a reception centre.

What will happen to minors and children who already have relatives in Sweden?

– Of course, this investigation must look at exactly how to do it in that case.

What will be society’s profit from this?

– We will be better able to use our resources for those who actually have reasons for protection and ensure that those who do not have reasons for protection leave the country faster.

full screenMaria Malmer Stenergard (M) and Jimmie Åkesson (SD).Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) and Jimmie Åkesson (SD).Photo: Krister Hansson

The proposal means that 2,900 places will be established at reception centers and 1,000 new storage places. Both Malmer Stenergard and Åkesson believe that this is part of ensuring that the return rate for those who have been rejected is increased.

– It is about increased focus on return. You should be informed about the return process right from the start, says Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).

However, she has no information yet on how many centers will be established or where they will be located. The cost of the entire investment in 2024 is estimated to be 295 million.

But Malmer Stenergard believes that it will be profitable.

– There will be a reduction of 2.2 billion in the cost because the number of asylum seekers is decreasing.

The proposals are part of Sweden getting Europe’s most restrictive asylum policy, points out Jimmie Åkesson (SD).

– A majority of asylum seekers will be rejected, he says.

An asylum process can be long. It will be a long time that you stay at the accommodation. How do you see it?

– The ambition is to shorten this time by strengthening the Migration Agency and that fewer people will come here, says Jimmie Åkesson.

Regarding the large number of asylum seekers who have arrived in the Italian Lampedusa in recent weeks, Åkesson does not see that Sweden should be helpful with reception. He believes that the effort should instead go to Frontex.

– We are happy to participate, even more than today, to secure the outer border. With us sending human resources and financial resources so that they can hold the border. That is the responsibility we have within the boundaries of EU cooperation.