Photo: ICPonline
- Next Article Finlands unemployment rate the second-worst in EU
Finnish authorities removed more than 1,350 foreign nationals from the country between January and June this year, marking a 32 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024, according to figures from the National Police Board reported by Uutissuomalainen on Thursday.
Most of those removed were citizens of Estonia and Romania. The National Police Board attributed the increase to intensified enforcement of immigration laws, one of the stated goals in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s current government programme.
The statistics did not specify how many of the removals were based on criminal convictions, rejected asylum applications, or expired residence permits.
Superintendent Janne Lepsu from the Police Board said that immigration control tasks had been added to the regular duties of local police officers. In many cases, foreign nationals may be subject to removal orders even for minor criminal infractions such as pickpocketing.
“If a person from another EU country is found to have committed such an offence, they may be sent back to their home country following a preliminary investigation,” Lepsu told USU. A return ban can also be imposed at the time of removal.
The removals typically follow administrative procedures based on the Aliens Act and are separate from any criminal court proceedings.
While removals of this type are legal within the EU framework, they are politically sensitive. EU citizens have the right to move and reside freely within member states, but this right is conditional. Authorities may remove individuals deemed to be a threat to public order or safety.
The latest statistics suggest a notable shift in how Finnish immigration authorities are approaching enforcement.
The current government has committed to tightening immigration and asylum policies. The government programme, published last year, called for stricter monitoring of residence permit conditions, more frequent use of removal orders, and a reduction in the number of people residing in Finland without legal status.
In addition to removals carried out by police, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) also processes voluntary returns and deportations. Those figures were not included in the USU report.
HT
- Next Article Finlands unemployment rate the second-worst in EU
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
