Unleashing Tougher Deportation Policies: Denmark's Plan
Denmark unveils accelerated expulsion strategy for foreign criminals
Denmark's immigration ministry is aiming to extend a program that allows for the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes before they've completed their sentences in Denmark. This move, the government says, will save resources within the country's prison system.
Currently, direct deportation or straksudsendelse of foreign nationals convicted of certain crimes in Denmark can be applied to people serving prison sentences of up to four months. The government now intends to extend this scheme to year-long sentences.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Immigration and Integration highlighted the success of the existing trial scheme, which it wants to expand based on "good experiences." Over the past year, around 370 foreign nationals have been deported directly from prisons instead of waiting for their sentences to be completed before deportation.
Crimes for which individuals are serving prison time under this scheme include theft, document fraud, and possession of narcotics. However, certain types of crimes, such as rape and gang-related crimes, are not eligible for direct deportation due to the requirement that the convicted person must complete their sentence first.
The minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, stated that the scheme has been effective in getting criminal foreigners out of the country and freeing up prison space. If parliament supports the proposed law change, the expanded rules could take effect by June 1st this year.
While Denmark has made arrangements with Kosovo for transferring some foreign inmates to serve their sentences in a Kosovar prison[1][2], this plan focuses on direct deportation within Denmark's borders. It's a clear message: commit a crime on Danish soil, and you might find yourself out of the country sooner than expected.
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Further Reading
- Why it was finally time for me to cough up and apply for Danish citizenship
- What proportion of foreign nationals stay in Denmark for the long term?
- Danish parliament votes through 'unfair' hike to citizenship fee
- Denmark detains two Americans for allegedly assaulting taxi driver
[1] Denmark to transfer foreign criminals to Kosovo prison. (2020, December 3). CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/denmark-transfer-foreign-criminals-kosovo-prison-13532680[2] Denmark rents prison cells in Kosovo for foreign inmates. (2021, January 5). Ritzau. https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Denmark-rents-prison-cells-in-Kosovo-for-foreign-15920301.php
- The proposed policy-and-legislation in Denmark aims to add year-long prison sentences to the scheme for deporting foreign nationals who have committed crimes.
- The news of tougher deportation policies in Denmark has been gaining attention in the general-news sector, sparking debates about politics and crime-and-justice.
- Under the current scheme, foreign nationals convicted of certain crimes in Denmark can be deported directly if they are serving prison sentences of up to four months.
- In spite of the extension of the scheme, crimes such as rape and gang-related crimes will still require the convicted person to complete their sentence before deportation.
- The art of politics often involves making tough decisions, such as the proposed deportation policy, in order to save resources or enforce law and order.
- The Danish government's policy of deporting foreign nationals convicted of crimes has been applied to over 370 individuals in the past year, with the intention of reducing the proportion of criminals in the country's prisons.
