Sweden's Green Party Seeks to Reinstate Humanitarian Clause to Protect Elderly British Citizens from Deportation
PublishedEditorial policy
Sweden's Green Party, led by Annika Hirvonen, is advocating for the reinstatement of a humanitarian clause, abolished in 2023. This clause would allow the Migration Agency to consider individual circumstances, potentially preventing the deportation of elderly British citizens and other long-term third-country residents
Key takeaways
- The humanitarian clause is not a universal solution but offers a crucial opportunity to demonstrate that an individual's case is unique. Without it, Migrationsverket focuses solely on status and dates; with it, factors like age, health, family, and years in the country can be considered.
- British citizens in Sweden are in a vulnerable position post-Brexit. Many arrived before 2020 when rules were more lenient and now struggle to meet new requirements. Elderly individuals are particularly affected, finding it harder to secure employment or educational opportunities that align with modern visa criteria.
- If you are a third-country national with long-term ties to Sweden but an unstable status, monitoring this initiative is important. The reinstatement of the clause could significantly impact your chances during appeals or permit renewals.
Green Party Advocates for Reinstatement of Humanitarian Clause
Annika Hirvonen, the Green Party's spokesperson for immigration, has called for the reinstatement of a humanitarian clause in Sweden's immigration law. This clause, which was abolished in 2023, previously allowed the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) to consider individual and special circumstances when making decisions about deportation, rather than strictly applying standard rules.
The initiative specifically aims to protect elderly British citizens, such as Horace "George" Mason and Joyce Thomas, who face potential deportation from Sweden. Following Brexit, many British nationals lost their automatic right to reside in Sweden and are now at risk of expulsion, despite having lived in the country for many years. Without the humanitarian clause, their cases are processed under a rigid framework where factors like age, long-standing ties to Sweden, or family connections are not considered sufficient grounds for an exception.
If reinstated, the humanitarian clause would not only benefit British citizens but also other third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens) who have established roots in Sweden but lack the required stable status. It would provide an opportunity to appeal decisions based on individual circumstances, a possibility currently unavailable as decisions are made solely on the presence or absence of a required permit.
Sources
Based on Emigro corridor reporting. Primary links below.
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