Johan Forssell, a Swedish minister from the centre-Right Moderate Party, has detailed how his country has drastically reduced asylum claims and deportations, offering a perspective on how other nations, including Britain, could manage immigration.
Forssell stated that Sweden has seen asylum claims fall to a 40-year low, with an estimated 4,200 claims expected in 2026. This is in contrast to Britain, which recorded 95,536 claims in a comparable period ending in March. Since his party took power in 2022, Sweden has increased deportations by 60% and reduced asylum claims by 75%. Forssell noted that a decade ago, during the Syrian refugee crisis, Sweden received over 163,000 asylum claims.
He attributed the previous challenges in Sweden, including integration issues and an increase in crime, to a migration policy that differed from other European countries. Forssell explained that for many years, Sweden granted permanent resident permits to migrants, which he believes contributed to problems such as parents not speaking Swedish or participating in the workforce, leading to a public perception that politicians lacked control over migration.
Sweden's current approach involves tightening conditions for asylum seekers. Previously, migrants were granted permanent residency, but now they receive temporary permits. This policy requires individuals to apply for Swedish citizenship if they wish to remain permanently, with the expectation that those who do not wish to integrate or become citizens will return to their home countries once any conflict has ended. Asylum seekers are housed in reception centers while their claims are processed, a measure implemented to better track their whereabouts. To stay in Sweden, individuals must learn Swedish, understand Swedish society, and be willing to work.
Forssell emphasized that if an asylum claim is refused, the individual must leave the country. While appeals are possible, they are processed swiftly, and if unsuccessful, the applicant is expected to return home. He stated that Sweden is actively cracking down on individuals who remain in the country illegally after their asylum claims have been denied, a situation that was previously more common. He asserts that these measures are being implemented within legal frameworks, not through extreme actions.
To expedite the process, Sweden has shortened waiting times for decisions. Applicants denied asylum are moved to centers to prepare for departure while any appeals are ongoing. Furthermore, a law that allowed individuals to reapply for asylum after residing in Sweden illegally for four years has been repealed, and those denied are now being sent back. Sweden has also implemented stricter penalties, including deportation, for temporary residents who commit crimes.
Forssell has reportedly discussed these methods with UK Home Office officials. He suggested that "pull factors" such as generous family reunification policies and welfare benefits can influence migration decisions. He stated that Sweden aims to improve social cohesion by ensuring that migrants are integrated into the workforce and learn the Swedish language, contrasting this with a past where such requirements were not strictly enforced.
He believes that Sweden's success demonstrates that it is possible to gain control over migration in a manner that aligns with international law. Forssell concluded that while it requires significant effort, tightening legislation has proven effective and has helped restore public trust in the migration system.