On Thursday, the government handed a bill to Parliament calling for tougher new regulations affecting non-citizens.
The right-wing cabinet led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) wants to amend the Aliens Act to tighten rules on detention and entry bans.
Under its revision, the act would give authorities the power to cancel residence permits for non-citizens living outside Finland and to impose entry bans on certain individuals for security reasons.
The government also aims to extend the maximum duration of detention for people being removed from the country from the current one year to 18 months. Officials could also extend custody from six to 12 months even before a removal decision is made, if a foreigner is deemed a danger to public order or national security. The act would also be expanded with the option of detaining someone on grounds of protecting public order.
The new law would allow for stricter imposition of entry bans in cases where no deadline has been set for voluntary return or where someone has failed to leave the country voluntarily within the fixed time limit.
In future, third-country nationals could be barred entry to Finland for up to 15 years, up from the current five years.
Cabinet aims to tighten asylum policy
Non-citizens abroad could see their residence permits withdrawn or entry bans imposed if they are considered a threat to public safety or national security, without the person being subject to a hearing in Finland.
According to the government announcement, "the amendments would support the government’s objectives to tighten asylum policy". Since taking office in mid-2023, the four-party coalition government has introduced a series of tougher measures on immigration, asylum and border entry procedures.
The bill is the first major piece of migration-related legislation to head to Parliament since former Interior Minister Mari Rantanen of the nationalist Finns Party stepped down temporarily. She will be replaced until at least the end of the year by party colleague Lulu Ranne, who also oversees the transport and communications portfolios.
According to Thursday’s handout, the latest measures will "ensure efficient removal of individuals who are staying in the country illegally, better safeguard public order and national security, and prepare for new kinds of situations that could jeopardise security."
The statement adds that the Act is to take effect "as soon as possible". However, with about two and a half months before the legislature begins its winter recess, it is unclear whether the law could come into force this year – though it is likely to be approved eventually, as the four government parties hold a significant majority of seats in Parliament.
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