Sweden enforces new law requiring agencies to report undocumented migrants

A new law requiring several Swedish government agencies to share information on suspected undocumented migrants with law enforcement authorities came into force on Monday, marking another step in the country's tougher immigration policy.

Under the legislation, six government agencies are now legally required to notify the Police, the Swedish Security Service or the Swedish Migration Agency if, in 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 critics widely refer to it as the Angiverilagen, or the "Informer Law".

The agencies covered by the law are the Swedish Public Employment Service, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Swedish Pensions Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency.

The Swedish government said 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 been ordered to leave the country but remain.

Authorities said the information-sharing system would also help law enforcement agencies enforce immigration decisions more effectively.

The legislation triggered 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 the six government agencies.

Critics argued 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, for fear that their information could be shared with immigration authorities.

The government, however, maintained that the law is not aimed at any particular group but is intended to ensure the enforcement of Sweden's immigration laws by identifying individuals who no longer have the legal right to remain in the country.

Analysts said the implementation of the 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.