Investigator: Difficult to get immigrants to return

The Government's investigator would propose measures that strongly stimulate voluntary repatriation. But the investigation concludes that such methods "cannot be found".

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: August 13 2024

Investigator: Difficult to get immigrants to return
Photo: Magnus Lejhall/TT

Share this article

The investigator Joakim Ruist has studied, among other things, Denmark, Norway, and Germany, but has not found any method that leads to a significant increase in emigration. "The investigation thus acknowledges that it has failed in the core of its mission," it states in the report to Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party).

According to the Tidö Agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats, an investigation was to present measures that "significantly stimulate" voluntary repatriation to countries of origin. The intended target group is immigrants who do not thrive and have difficulty integrating into Sweden.

Ruist points out that academic studies show that those who have migrated as refugees rarely emigrate from the country they have immigrated to.

Feeling Unwanted

Today's emigration grant of 10,000 kronor plus travel costs per person has so far only led to a handful of people per year returning. It is significantly lower than the Danish grant, which amounts to over 100,000 Danish kronor.

The investigator advises against a significant increase. According to Ruist, it would send the signal that the target group is unwanted in Sweden and thus have a negative impact on the willingness to integrate.

Instead, smaller changes are proposed compared to today, for example, that all those who have immigrated as relatives should also be able to receive the grant.

TT: You're not quite satisfied with the investigation?

We see certain parts where we believe additional work will be needed, says Malmer Stenergard.

We want people to get all the support to be able to enter society, but if that's not what they want, they should be able to get support to return. I've personally met several people, not least women, who feel a longing for their roots, for example, Somalia.

700 More

According to the investigation's estimate, an emigration grant of 350,000 kronor could lead to an increase in annual emigration from Sweden by 700 people per year, compared to if no grant existed at all. From a societal economic perspective, it would only yield a positive result after 15 years.

The investigator proposes that the Migration Agency should continue to be responsible for informing about the emigration grant. In Denmark, the municipalities have this responsibility.

Malmer Stenergard points out that it is the municipalities that come into contact with people who may consider returning.

I personally think it would be interesting to take a closer look at how it's been done in Denmark, she says.

The emigration grant should not be significantly increased, but should cover more people

Even relatives who have immigrated should be covered

Those who have been entitled to the grant should retain their entitlement even if they have become Swedish citizens

Only immigrants with a legal right to reside in Sweden should be covered

The grant should not be given for moves to countries covered by the EU's free movement

A clearer right to retain a residence permit for two years after moving out for those with permanent residence permits

Residence permits should be revoked for those with temporary residence permits who receive an emigration grant

The grant should be possible to recover from those who return to Sweden

The grant should no longer be means-tested

Source: SOU 2024:53

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Swedes Accused of Terrorism to Face Trial in Denmark
1 MIN READ

Swedes Accused of Terrorism to Face Trial in Denmark

Man Dies in Ride-On Lawn Mower Accident in Alingsås
1 MIN READ

Man Dies in Ride-On Lawn Mower Accident in Alingsås

Teen Kidnapped Outside Police Station in Karlskrona: Seven Charged
1 MIN READ

Teen Kidnapped Outside Police Station in Karlskrona: Seven Charged

LKAB Warns of Potential Further Relocations in Kiruna
2 MIN READ

LKAB Warns of Potential Further Relocations in Kiruna

Busch Supports LKAB's Kiruna Expansion Amid Relocation Concerns
2 MIN READ

Busch Supports LKAB's Kiruna Expansion Amid Relocation Concerns

Two Sentenced to Prison for Helsingborg Kidnapping and Assault
1 MIN READ

Two Sentenced to Prison for Helsingborg Kidnapping and Assault

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Attacks on Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Attacks on Ukraine

Elderly Man Dies in Head-On Collision Near Åre
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Dies in Head-On Collision Near Åre

Man in His 60s Charged with Sexual Offenses Against Uppsala Schoolgirls
2 MIN READ

Man in His 60s Charged with Sexual Offenses Against Uppsala Schoolgirls

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping
1 MIN READ

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged
2 MIN READ

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses
3 MIN READ

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle
1 MIN READ

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident
2 MIN READ

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa
3 MIN READ

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil
2 MIN READ

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting