Sweden enforces new law to identify undocumented migrants

A new law requiring several Swedish government agencies to share information about suspected undocumented migrants with law enforcement authorities came into force on Monday, marking another step in Sweden's stricter immigration policy.
Under the new legislation, six government agencies are now legally required to notify the Police, the Swedish Security Service (Säpo), or the Swedish Migration Agency if, during the course of their duties, they have reason to believe that a person is residing in Sweden without legal permission.
The measure is officially known as the Informationsplikt (Duty to Provide Information), although it is widely referred to by critics as the Angiverilagen, or the "Informer Law."
The agencies covered by the new law are the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården), the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden), the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten), and the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
The Swedish government says the law is intended to reduce the country's so-called "shadow society" by making it easier to identify people who no longer have the legal right to remain in Sweden, including those whose residence permits have expired or who have received deportation orders but remain in the country. Authorities say the information-sharing system will also help law enforcement agencies enforce immigration decisions more effectively.
The legislation sparked extensive public debate before taking effect. The government had initially proposed extending the reporting obligation to a wider range of public authorities. However, following strong criticism from healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers, human rights organisations and opposition parties, the proposal was narrowed to six government agencies.
Critics argue that the reporting requirement could undermine migrants' trust in public institutions and discourage vulnerable people from seeking essential public services, particularly healthcare and social support, out of fear that their information could be shared with immigration authorities.
The government, however, maintains that the law is not aimed at any particular group but is designed to ensure that Sweden's immigration laws are enforced by identifying individuals who no longer have the legal right to stay in the country.
Analysts say the implementation of the new legislation reflects Sweden's increasingly restrictive approach to immigration. In recent years, the country has introduced a series of measures aimed at tightening migration rules and strengthening the enforcement of immigration decisions.