World Immigration News

(ALJAZEERA)‘I did nothing wrong’: Sweden’s migration regime hardens, upending lives

Release Date: 2026-07-01
Media: ALJAZEERA
Summary: The article explains how Sweden has completed a decade-long shift from one of Europe's most welcoming countries for refugees to one with one of its strictest immigration systems. Following the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, Sweden has introduced temporary residence permits as the default for new asylum seekers, expanded reporting obligations for undocumented migrants, and tightened rules on residence permits, family reunification, and deportation.

The article illustrates these changes through the experiences of migrants affected by the new policies. A Brazilian woman was ordered to leave Sweden because of a technical issue in her residence permit history despite working, paying taxes, and integrating into Swedish society. It also describes the case of an Iranian woman who has lived in Sweden for over two decades without legal status and now faces even greater uncertainty under the new rules.

Legal experts warn that the reforms fundamentally change the conditions for living in Sweden without Swedish citizenship. Residence permits have become more conditional, with employment, financial stability, and even broadly defined behavior affecting immigration status. The policy shift reflects the growing influence of stricter immigration politics since 2022, while critics argue that the long-term social consequences of these reforms are only beginning to emerge.
Tags: Sweden

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