Sweden tightens measures against immigrants

Sweden's parliament has voted to tighten its crackdown on migrant rights, passing laws that allow authorities to revoke residence permits based on a vague criterion of "good behavior" and forcing most public sector employees to report people suspected of staying in the country without documents.

The new legislation comes ahead of September's parliamentary elections, which pit the center-right government, which currently relies on votes from the far-right Sweden Democrats, against the radical right that aims to make Sweden one of the most hostile countries in Europe for non-Europeans.

Late Monday, MPs voted to approve the so-called "good conduct" law, which will apply to future and current applicants for residence permits, but also retroactively to many residents already living in the country.

"Anyone who doesn't try to do the right thing shouldn't count on staying here," Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell said in March when he proposed the bill.

Although the law does not specify exactly what behaviors are considered unacceptable, the government has previously cited examples such as unpaid debts, tax evasion, criminal activity, and ties to extremist organizations.

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Responsibility for reviewing residence permits will lie with the Swedish Migration Agency, and its decisions can be appealed.

The law has been harshly criticized by the opposition and human rights organizations, which have described the criterion as arbitrary.

Amnesty International has warned that this could lead to the refusal or withdrawal of residence permits for behavior that is neither illegal nor punishable for Swedish citizens.

The Swedish organization Civil Rights Defenders has stated that the law "undermines the rule of law" and creates uncertainty for immigrants, who will not know what actions or statements can be used against them.

The Swedish parliament has also voted by a very narrow margin to approve the so-called "reporting law", which will force many public sector employees to report people they suspect are without regular residence documents.

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The law was approved with 174 votes in favor and 172 against.

Its opponents have long warned that it will negatively impact the physical and mental health of immigrants, as well as significantly increase the risk of racial profiling.