Sweden Proposes Bill to Deport Criminal Foreigners, Aiming for 3,000 Expulsions Annually

Sweden’s government has unveiled a new bill aimed at increasing deportations of foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.

Minister for Migration Johan Forssell said at a press conference that “for far too long, foreign criminals who have committed serious crimes in the country have been coddled.”

The proposed legislation would make deportation a mandatory part of sentencing, requiring prosecutors to request it rather than leaving the decision discretionary. Authorities estimate the law could result in roughly 3,000 deportations per year—six times the current average of 500.

The bill will first go to Sweden’s Council on Legislation before being submitted to parliament, with a target implementation date of September 1.

The move comes as Sweden continues to battle organised violent crime, largely linked to gang conflicts over the drug trade. While deadly shootings have decreased, bombings have risen. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing government, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has previously expanded police powers, increased penalties, and proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 to tackle youth crime.

Sweden plans to implement stricter deportation measures for foreign nationals convicted of serious offenses, with legislation expected to take effect on September 1.

Johan Forssell, the country’s Minister for Migration, said the bill addresses a long-standing issue where foreign criminals have been treated leniently. Under the new law, prosecutors would be required to request deportation as part of sentencing.

Officials project the legislation could increase deportations to around 3,000 annually, up from the current 500. The bill will first be reviewed by Sweden’s Council on Legislation before submission to parliament.

Sweden has struggled with gang-related violence and organised crime for more than a decade. While shootings have declined, bombings have risen, prompting the government to expand police authority, impose harsher sentences, and propose lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 13, part of a broader crackdown on youth crime under Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s administration.