The Swedish government, represented by Migration Minister Johan Forssell, has announced plans to intensify the deportation of convicted foreign criminals. Forssell stated that for too long, the country has been lenient with foreign offenders who have committed serious crimes. The proposed legislation aims to obligate prosecutors to request deportation as part of sentencing, rather than leaving it to the courts’ discretion as is currently the case. This change is expected to substantially increase the annual number of deportations from approximately 500 to around 3,000, suggesting a dramatic shift in Sweden's approach to handling foreign criminals.

The bill is set to be presented to the Swedish legislative council, which reviews proposed laws before they are discussed in parliament. The government is optimistic that the legislation could come into effect by September 1. This initiative reflects a growing frustration within Sweden regarding violent crime and organized criminal networks, which have seen a rise over the past decade. The country has been grappling with issues such as daily shootings and gang violence, prompting a call for stricter measures against offenders, particularly foreign nationals.

If implemented, this new law would mark a significant policy shift in Sweden's approach to immigration and crime, linking criminal behavior directly to immigration status more than ever before. The expected outcomes of this legislation could resonate through various sectors of society, affecting perceptions of immigration policies and inciting debate about the balance between enforcement and humanitarian considerations in dealing with foreign nationals who commit crimes.