Stockholm seeks to ban ‘repeat’ asylum seekers: Let’s understand

Stockholm has tabled a bill to restrict the possibility of rejected asylum seekers re-applying for asylum if they have not left the country first. If passed, the bill is expected to significantly reduce the number of people remaining in the country illegally.

This European country has taken in large numbers of asylum seekers since the 1980s. But in the last 10 years, it has experienced one of the highest rates of immigration on the continent, leading to big changes in public opinion.

In recent years, Stockholm has significantly tightened asylum and immigration rules. The Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell, said that the proposal is meant to close a loophole that many failed asylum seekers had allegedly been benefiting from.

In a statement on social media, the Minister described the legislation as an “important step to protect regulated immigration.” The bill still needs to be approved by parliament. But it could come into force as early as next year.