“Smoother voluntary returns, more efficient forced returns and stronger national security” are among the government programme’s key objectives, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) noted.
The approved amendments to Finland’s Aliens Act — which will make it easier for authorities to deport people and impose entry bans — are set to go into effect on Friday 12 June.
In a press release on Tuesday, the interior ministry said the amendments will also expedite the enforcement of deportation decisions.
“In addition, an entry ban may in future be imposed in advance if a person is considered a serious danger to security,” the ministry’s release read.
“An appeal against a deportation decision will no longer automatically postpone or prevent the enforcement of the decision. A deportation decision may be enforced 30 days after the decision has been served, that is, after the time allowed for appeal has expired,” the ministry explained.
“An administrative court may prohibit or suspend enforcement if requested. In such cases, the decision can be enforced once the court has dismissed the appeal,” it continued.
Minister: “More efficient forced returns”
The ministry said that deportation decisions may be made for a foreign national who has lived in Finland with a residence permit based on work or studies, but whose permit has been withdrawn or not extended.
It noted that the amendment will not apply to deportation decision enforcement in asylum cases.
“Smoother voluntary returns, more efficient forced returns and stronger national security are among the key objectives of the government programme. With these legislative amendments we will contribute to strengthening the security of Finland and the Schengen area as a whole,” Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) said in the release.
The ministry said the amendment also affects grounds for entry bans, aimed at preventing “third-country nationals who pose a serious threat to public order, public security or national security from entering Finland or the Schengen area”, including “known or convicted terrorists”.
The entry bans will apply to the entire Schengen area, according to the ministry.
It noted that President Alexander Stubb approved the amendments on Tuesday.
