Sweden is taking a bold step in its ongoing effort to tighten immigration controls: under a proposed law, border guards will soon have the authority to search migrantsโ smartphones for evidence of destroyed passports.
The move is part of a broader strategy by Swedenโs right-wing coalition government to curb immigration and accelerate deportations of failed asylum seekers, amid growing concerns over organized crime recruitment.
Cracking Down on Document Destruction
Authorities believe that some migrants entering the country destroy their passports upon arrival but may keep digital copies or photos of these documents on their phones. This makes identifying and deporting failed asylum seekers a challenge.
โNext week, weโll receive a government inquiry on expanding the policeโs ability to search smartphones for scanned documents,โ said Anders Hall, state secretary for the Ministry of Justice, in an interview with The Telegraph. โThis legal basis will help us locate these vital documents and improve enforcement.โ
If enacted, the law is expected to take effect by 2025-2026 following a consultation period.
A Shift in Immigration Trends
Sweden, once a haven for migrants, is now experiencing a historic reversal: more people are emigrating than immigrating for the first time in five decades. This change follows a significant tightening of asylum rules since Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson assumed office in 2022.
The Kristersson government, backed by the hard-right Sweden Democrats, has introduced a range of measures aimed at reducing migration. Despite controversy surrounding the Sweden Democratsโwho have historical links to Nazi sympathizersโMr. Hall defended the collaboration, stating, โThey have more or less full insight into what weโre doing. We regularly meet with them to ensure alignment.โ
Interestingly, opposition Social Democrats have not opposed any of the migration measures introduced by the government, signaling bipartisan agreement on tougher immigration policies.
Sweeping Reforms Target Migration and Crime
The smartphone search proposal is just one piece of Swedenโs larger immigration overhaul, which includes:
Boosting Voluntary Repatriationย Migrants and their families, including naturalized citizens, may be offered financial incentives to leave. Refugees are already eligible for approximately ยฃ720 and travel assistance.
Stripping Swedish Nationalityย Dual nationals convicted of serious crimes or terrorism can now lose their Swedish citizenship.
Temporary Residence for Refugeesย Instead of automatic permanent residency, accepted asylum seekers now face a review of their status every three years.
Reception Center Mandateย Asylum seekers are required to reside in government-run reception or return centers rather than private housing.
European Context and Impact
Swedenโs reforms align with broader calls across the EU for stricter measures to manage migration. A growing number of asylum seekers now arrive in Europe legally through airports, only to destroy their identification papers.
In 2023, Sweden received 12,600 asylum applicationsโthe lowest figure since 1997 and a stark contrast to its 2015 peak when it accounted for 13% of all EU asylum claims. That share has since dropped to just 2%.
International Collaboration
Swedish officials, including Mr. Hall, have been briefing other governments, such as the UK, on their migration policies. The exchange highlights Swedenโs leadership role in pushing for a tougher stance on failed asylum seekers while maintaining support for legal migration under stricter rules.
The smartphone search law, alongside these sweeping changes, reflects a decisive shift in Swedenโs approach to migrationโone that signals its commitment to maintaining order and addressing the challenges of modern migration.
