The number of security threats among immigrants seeking citizenship is increasing sharply.
In 2022, Säpo recommended rejection in 490 citizenship cases due to security reasons, last year 756, and up to November this year, the number is up to 543.
This can be compared to around 100-180 per year in previous years, and before that, the number was even lower.
Terrorism and Espionage
It involves individuals who are or can be considered a security threat, according to Säpo. For example, if the person is deemed to have connections to espionage or terrorism.
It's an example. It's not like we're only looking at that, says Gabriel Wernstedt, press secretary at Säpo, who doesn't want to say more than that.
In the assessment, Säpo investigates the person's background, contacts, and activities both in Sweden and abroad.
It's different information we have from different sources where we make a comprehensive assessment. It's not about individual sources or individual information, says Wernstedt.
Säpo does not want to draw any conclusions from the fact that the number of security threats has increased, but believes it is important not to focus solely on individual years.
A citizenship case can take several years to decide, and possibly the high numbers can be explained by the large volumes that came during the refugee wave in 2015-2016 now seeking citizenship, according to Säpo.
Remain
Since they already have a residence permit, they cannot be deported in principle.
That's how it looks in the Aliens Act, if you have a residence permit, you have the right to stay in Sweden, says Gabriel Wernstedt.
Shouldn't they have been stopped already when they applied for a residence permit?
When a person stays in Sweden for a longer period, it can of course lead to us getting new information and that circumstances change, says Wernstedt.
He does not want to comment on whether it is a problem that security threats remain.
It's important not to generalize and point to every individual as a serious terrorist threat. But with that said, we have different opportunities to follow individuals who pose a serious security threat to Sweden.
Prevent More
The parties recently agreed to take measures to prevent more Swedish citizenships from being issued, as far as possible, until new legislation comes into force.
However, it is unclear how this will be done and how many can be stopped. In October alone, the Migration Agency granted over 6,400 new citizenships, most of them to people from Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea.
In recent years, around 70,000-90,000 immigrants have become Swedish citizens each year. It is thus a very small proportion that is rejected due to security reasons.
Anja Haglund/TT
Facts: Number of Security Cases
TT
Number of cases where Säpo has objected to Swedish citizenship.
(Number of referrals from the Migration Agency in parentheses.)
2019: 147 (436)
2020: 100 (820)
2021: 182 (598)
2022: 490 (788)
2023: 756 (687)
2024 up to Nov: 543 (1,003)
Säpo's response/objection may come in a later year than the year the Migration Agency refers the case.
The Migration Agency makes the decision, often in line with Säpo's recommendation.
Source: Migration Agency
The applicant must be at least 18 years old, be able to prove their identity, have lived in Sweden for a certain period (often four to five consecutive years), have permanent residence permits, and have lived a decent life.
In addition to being classified as a security threat, debts to the Enforcement Authority and a prison sentence can mean no.
A Swedish citizenship has several advantages. Only Swedish citizens have an absolute right to live and work in Sweden, the right to vote in parliamentary elections, can be elected to parliament, and have the right to work as, for example, police and professional military.
