The Swedish government has launched a financial support program of $37,000 per person to encourage the voluntary return of migrants.
The Swedish right-wing coalition government has started paying approximately $37,000 (350,000 Swedish kronor) per person to foreigners from non-European Union countries who agree to voluntarily leave Sweden, as part of its immigration reduction policy ahead of the general elections this month.
In the country with a population of 10.6 million and about 2 million people of foreign origin, it has been reported that so far only 171 people have accepted the money and agreed to leave.
'IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP CONDITIONS TIGHTENED'
In addition to the return incentive, the government has abolished the permanent residence permit for migrants, requiring permits to be renewed every three years. In August, a mandatory citizenship test was introduced for the first time, with Migration Minister Johan Forssell emphasizing that citizenship brings both rights and responsibilities, stating that it is unacceptable to become a citizen without knowledge of Sweden.
The opposition, civil society organizations, and migrant representatives argue that the incentive fuels discrimination and that the vast majority of migrants do not want to leave the country.
