Finland plans to tighten rules on detention, deportation and entry of foreigners | Yle News

The government wants to amend the Act on Foreigners, which will tighten the provisions on detentions and entry bans.

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On Thursday, the government submitted a bill to parliament calling for the introduction of new, more stringent regulations regarding non-citizens.

Right-wing cabinet led by the Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (KPK) wants to amend the Act on Foreigners to tighten the rules on detention and entry bans.

Under the amendments, the bill would give authorities the power to withdraw residence permits for non-Finnish citizens living outside Finland and to impose entry bans on certain people for security reasons.

The government also aims to extend the maximum detention period for people expelled from the country from the current year to 18 months. Officials could also extend detention from six to 12 months before issuing the expulsion decision if the foreigner was deemed to pose a threat to public order or national security. The act will also be extended to include the possibility of detaining a person for the protection of public order.

The new law would make it possible to tighten entry bans in cases where no deadline has been set for voluntary return or where someone has not voluntarily left the country by the deadline.

In the future, third-country nationals may be banned from entering Finland for up to 15 years, up from the current five years.

The cabinet intends to tighten its asylum policy

Non-citizens abroad may face having their residence permit withdrawn or having an entry ban imposed if they are deemed to pose a threat to public security or national security, without having to be interviewed in Finland.

According to the government’s announcement, “the changes will support the implementation of the government’s goals of tightening the asylum policy.” Since taking office in mid-2023, the four-party coalition government has introduced a series of tougher measures on immigration, asylum and border entry procedures.

The bill is the first major piece of legislation on migration to be introduced in parliament since the former home secretary Mari Rantanen the nationalist Finns Party temporarily stepped down from office. She will be replaced by a party colleague at least until the end of the year Lulu Morningwho also oversees the transport and communications portfolios.

According to Thursday’s leaflet, the latest measures “will ensure the effective expulsion of people staying in the country illegally, better safeguard public order and national security, and prepare for new types of situations that may threaten security.”

The statement added that the law was to enter into force “as soon as possible.” However, with about two and a half months until the legislature begins its winter recess, it is unclear whether the bill could come into force this year – although it is likely to be ultimately approved because the four government parties hold large majorities of seats in Parliament.

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