Reducing the shadow society has been an important priority for the government and the SD during the mandate period.
The parties are now presenting several proposals for legal changes that will make it easier for the authorities to find people who are in the country without permission.
This is partly about a duty for authorities to share information, and partly about new tools for the police to check people and investigate their identity.
If we do not deal with the shadow society, it will take hold and become entrenched, says Migration Minister Johan Forssell (M).
Those responsible report
The information obligation shall cover six authorities, including the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, which will be obliged to provide information to the police proactively.
The issue has been one of the most contentious between the Tidö parties. Above all, the SD wanted it to also include employees in healthcare, schools and social services. Critics called this a "disclosure law" and teachers, among others, protested. In November 2024, the four parties finally agreed that these sectors would be exempted.
When asked whether there could be reprisals against employees who do not comply with the obligation, Forssell replies:
If it doesn't work, other measures may be taken in the future, but today we have no reason to believe that this would be the case.
The government also proposes that the police be allowed to carry out internal checks on foreigners in more cases. Today, a "reasonable" suspicion is required to assume that a foreigner lacks the right to be in the country. In future, it will be sufficient to have a reason.
The police will also be given more tools to establish a person's identity. House searches and body searches will be allowed in more cases, and a completely new measure is that police will be able to search mobile phones to find ID documents.
A clear identity is often a prerequisite for deportation to take place, points out Ludvig Aspling (SD).
Security threats and criminals
In addition, fingerprints and photos can be taken and used in more immigration cases than today.
According to the government, there are estimates that over 100,000 people may be in the shadow society in Sweden. The group includes everything from security threats and criminals who commit serious crimes to people who are being harmed and exploited.
The legislative amendments are proposed to come into force on July 13 this year.
Facts: Four measures
The government and the SD are making four proposals that they hope will reduce the shadow society and encourage more people to return.
1. Duty to provide information
The Swedish Employment Agency, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Swedish Pensions Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency will be required to provide information to the police if they discover people who do not have the right to reside in Sweden.
2. New rules for internal immigration controls
Instead of 'reasonable' grounds to assume that a foreigner lacks the right to be in Sweden, a reason should suffice. Tips, intelligence and risk profiles should be taken into account.
3. New tools to establish identity
Among other things, a completely new power allowing the police to search a person's mobile phone. The search will also be allowed to take place in connection with an internal immigration check.
4. Fingerprints and photos in more cases
To be stored for all applications for residence permits and citizenship. Photos taken by the Migration Board should also be able to be compared with the police's biometric register.
Source: Government
