World News
Sweden faces scrutiny over post-Brexit deportations of long-term British residents
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are urging the Swedish government to review its migration policies as hundreds of British nationals face removal orders.
The short version
- Sweden has issued approximately 2,500 deportation orders to British nationals since Brexit, representing about one-third of all such orders across the European Union.
- Long-term British residents, including individuals who grew up in Sweden and elderly citizens, have faced removal after missing deadlines or failing to secure post-Brexit residency status.
- Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell is facing calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups to freeze removals and review the enforcement of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
Key facts
- John Sellers, a 34-year-old British citizen who had lived in Sweden for 24 years, was deported to England in January following three unsuccessful attempts to obtain residency.[The Guardian]
- Eurostat figures show Sweden has ordered the departure of about 2,500 British nationals since Brexit, accounting for roughly one-third of the total across the 27 EU member states.[The Guardian]
- Critics point to Sweden's Migration Agency declining late applications from residents who did not realize they had to formally apply to remain post-Brexit under the country's opt-in system.[The Guardian]
- Other pending cases include 78-year-old Joyce Thomas, ordered to depart by September 7, and George Mason, who is receiving full-time dementia care and received an enforcement delay through September 28.[The Guardian]
- The UK Foreign Office and European Commission officials have raised concerns regarding Sweden's application of the withdrawal agreement.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown whether Migration Minister Johan Forssell will alter policies or order a formal freeze on upcoming removals of British nationals.[The Guardian]
- The outcome of John Sellers' appeal for a review based on newly submitted relationship evidence remains pending.[The Guardian]
Sources
- British man deported from Sweden despite living there since childhoodThe Guardian - World