2024-02-152023/24:JuU11 · p.1JuUJustice
Temporary Ban on Transporting Persons without Valid Identity Documents to Sweden
Temporary bans on carrying people without valid identity documents to Sweden
What's at stake: A ban could quickly limit how many people without identity documents reach Sweden and thereby relieve pressure on essential public services, but it also means identity checks when travelling, practical problems and unreimbursed costs for bus, rail and ferry operators and their staff, hassle for cross-border commuters, and greater difficulty for people seeking protection to get here.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should be able, in serious situations, to impose temporary bans on carrying people without valid identity documents to Sweden, with penalty fees for carriers that breach a ban, or whether such bans should not be introduced at all.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee backs the government's bill. Given that the number of migrants and refugees keeps rising, and in light of the experience of autumn 2015, the committee considers that the government needs to be able to act quickly if serious danger to public order or internal security again arises from events in the migration field, and that penalty fees should be available for breaches. The committee understands the concerns of cross-border commuters and transport firms but stresses that any ban must always be judged appropriate, necessary and proportionate, and that the broadly framed authorisation need not be used to its full extent.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (V, C, MP)
The dissenters (V, C, MP) oppose introducing bans on carriers transporting people without valid identity documents.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: adopting the government's legislative proposal and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by V, C, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna
Ja 246–54Ja 232–68
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | Yes | Yes 93/0/0/13 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/13/0/5 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | No 1/20/0/3 | match | confidence: high | derived |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/5 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | Yes | Yes 63/0/0/9 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
Broke with the party line
| CHelena Lindahl (C, Västerbottens län) | Yes — party line: No |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag approves the government's proposal for a law on a temporary ban on transporting persons without valid identity documents to Sweden. Thereby the Riksdag approves proposition 2023/24:62 and rejects the motions 2023/24:2796 by Gudrun Nordborg et al. (V), 2023/24:2806 by Annika Hirvonen et al. (MP) and 2023/24:2813 by Ulrika Liljeberg et al. (C).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar regeringens förslag till lag om tillfälliga förbud att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar till Sverige. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2023/24:62 och avslår motionerna 2023/24:2796 av Gudrun Nordborg m.fl. (V), 2023/24:2806 av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP) och 2023/24:2813 av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C).
Riksdag decision: The government shall be able to introduce rules on a temporary ban on transporting persons without valid identity documents to Sweden from other states. The government shall also be able to introduce penalty fees for transport companies that violate the ban. The Riksdag approved the government's proposal. A ban may only be introduced if – due to events in the migration field – a serious threat to public order or internal security of the country has arisen, and if the rules are needed for important public functions to more easily be able to perform their tasks. The new law comes into force on 1 March 2024.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal opposes introducing a ban on transporters carrying persons without valid identity documents. (V, C, MP) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan establishes that the right to seek asylum can never be compromised and that Sweden should act for refugees' rights when the EU builds walls, and that each asylum seeker should be guaranteed individual assessment with generous criteria.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the right to seek asylum can never be compromised and that Sweden should act for refugees' rights when the EU builds walls, and that each asylum seeker should be guaranteed individual assessment with generous criteria. A carrier ban against persons without valid identity documents closes precisely the path to assessment that the plan defends. The counter-proposal's opposition to the ban therefore follows directly from the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att rätten att söka asyl aldrig kan tummas på och att Sverige ska agera för flyktingars rättigheter när EU bygger murar, samt att varje asylsökande ska garanteras individuell prövning med generösa kriterier. Ett transportörsförbud mot personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar stänger just den väg till prövning som planen försvarar. Motförslagets motstånd mot förbudet följer därför direkt av planen.
- defend the right to asylum against wallsdecisive»När rasismen växer, länder sluter sig och EU bygger murar ska Sverige agera för flyktingars rättigheter och försvara asylrätten både i Sverige och internationellt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“As racism grows, countries close themselves off, and the EU builds walls, Sweden should act for refugees' rights and defend the right to asylum both in Sweden and internationally.”
- the right to asylum is inviolable»Rätten att söka asyl kan aldrig tummas på, vi kräver att endast permanenta uppehållstillstånd ska utfärdas vid beviljad asyl.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right to seek asylum can never be compromised; we demand that only permanent residence permits shall be issued upon granted asylum.”
- humane refugee and asylum policy»en human flykting- och asylpolitik där varje asylsökande garanteras« (party programme ↗)“a humane refugee and asylum policy where each asylum seeker is guaranteed”
- individual assessment»rätten till en individuell prövning under värdiga omständigheter och« (party programme ↗)“the right to individual assessment under dignified circumstances and”
The plan's most binding commitment on migration is that the tightened line remains firm, and it also wants to strengthen border control.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's most binding commitment on migration is that the tightened line remains firm, and it also wants to strengthen border control. The counter-proposal wants to prevent carriers from being prohibited from bringing in persons without valid identity documents, which goes against this control line. The party programme's demand for a safe haven and generous but regulated immigration softens the assessment but weighs less than the election manifesto.
Original (Swedish)
Planens mest bindande åtagande i migrationsfrågan är att den åtstramade linjen ligger fast, och den vill dessutom stärka gränskontrollen. Motförslaget vill hindra att transportörer kan förbjudas att föra in personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar, vilket går emot denna kontrollinje. Partiprogrammets krav på en trygg fristad och en generös men reglerad invandring mildrar bedömningen men väger lättare än valmanifestet.
- firm tight migration linedecisive»Vi har stramat åt migrationspolitiken, och denna linje ligger fast.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We have tightened migration policy, and this line remains firm.”
- strengthened border control»Vi vill ta krafttag mot införsel av vapen och narkotika, bland annat genom stärkt gränskontroll.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to take strong action against the smuggling of weapons and drugs, among other things through strengthened border control.”
- regulated immigration»Vi vill ha en generös och reglerad invandring.« (party programme ↗)“We want a generous and regulated immigration.”
- safe haven for refugees»Sverige ska erbjuda en trygg fristad åt människor som tvingas fly från förföljelse och våld.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people forced to flee persecution and violence.”
The election manifesto wants to defend the asylum right and establishes that those who flee shall have more legal pathways to reach safety, and the party programme that people shall be given a real opportunity to flee here and have their reasons assessed.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants to defend the asylum right and establishes that those who flee shall have more legal pathways to reach safety, and the party programme that people shall be given a real opportunity to flee here and have their reasons assessed. A prohibition for transporters from taking persons without valid identity documents closes precisely those pathways and makes flight dependent on documents many lack. The counter-proposal's opposition to such prohibitions is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill försvara asylrätten och slår fast att den som flyr ska ha fler lagliga vägar för att ta sig till säkerhet, och partiprogrammet att människor ska få en reell möjlighet att fly hit och få sina skäl prövade. Ett förbud för transportörer att ta med personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar stänger just de vägarna och gör flykten beroende av handlingar många saknar. Motförslagets motstånd mot sådana förbud stöds därför av planen.
- defended asylum rightdecisive»försvara asylrätten och kvotflyktingsystemet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“defend the right to seek asylum and the quota refugee system.”
- more legal pathways»Den som flyr ska ha fler lagliga vägar för att ta sig till säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Those who flee shall have more legal pathways to reach safety.”
- real opportunity to flee here»Vi anser att människor ska få en reell möjlighet« (party programme ↗)“We believe that people shall be given a real opportunity”
- Sweden as a refuge»Sverige ska vara en fristad från förföljelse, tortyr« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a refuge from persecution, torture”
The party programme establishes that it is not the borders that should be closed and that the possibility to seek refuge is a human right, and that the party strives for open borders and a generous and humane refugee policy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that it is not the borders that should be closed and that the possibility to seek refuge is a human right, and that the party strives for open borders and a generous and humane refugee policy. The election manifesto rejects protectionism and closed borders. A ban on transporters carrying people without valid identification documents to Sweden effectively closes the path to asylum, which is why the plan supports the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att det inte är gränserna som ska stängas och att möjligheten att söka en fristad är en mänsklig rättighet, och att partiet strävar efter öppna gränser och en generös och human flyktingpolitik. Valmanifestet avvisar protektionism och stängda gränser. Ett förbud för transportörer att föra personer utan giltiga id-handlingar till Sverige stänger i praktiken vägen till asyl, varför planen stöder motförslaget.
- do not close bordersdecisive»gränserna som ska stängas, utan arbetsmarknaden som ska öppnas« (party programme ↗)“the borders that should be closed, but the labour market that should be opened”
- asylum as a human right»Att få söka sig en fristad och en försörjning, inte bara inom det land där man är född, utan också utanför landets gränser, är en mänsklig rättighet.« (party programme ↗)“To be able to seek refuge and livelihood, not only in the country where one is born but also outside the country's borders, is a human right.”
- generous and humane migration policy»Centerpartiet strävar efter öppna gränser, fri rörlighet samt en generös och human flykting- och invandringspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party strives for open borders, freedom of movement, and a generous and humane refugee and immigration policy.”
- openness to the world»Sverige behöver mer frihandel och internationellt samarbete, inte protektionism och stängda gränser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs more free trade and international cooperation, not protectionism and closed borders.”
The party programme explicitly establishes that carrier liability shall be abolished and that safe and legal refugee routes to the EU must be created, because the right to asylum is a fundamental human right.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly establishes that carrier liability shall be abolished and that safe and legal refugee routes to the EU must be created, because the right to asylum is a fundamental human right. The counter-proposal opposes precisely a ban on carriers transporting persons without valid travel documents, which is the same thing the plan wants to remove. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår uttryckligen fast att transportörsansvaret ska avskaffas och att trygga och lagliga flyktvägar till EU måste skapas, eftersom asylrätten är en grundläggande mänsklig rättighet. Motförslaget motsätter sig just förbud för transportörer att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar, vilket är samma sak som planen vill bort. Planen stöder därför motförslagets krav.
- abolish carrier liabilitydecisive»Transportörsansvaret ska avskaffas.« (party programme ↗)“Carrier liability shall be abolished.”
- asylum as a human right»Asylrätten är en grundläggande mänsklig rättighet.« (party programme ↗)“The right to asylum is a fundamental human right.”
- legal refugee routes»Det måste skapas trygga och lagliga flyktvägar« (party programme ↗)“Safe and legal refugee routes must be created”
- protection for those fleeing»Människor som flyr krig och förföljelse ska få skydd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“People fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The election manifesto runs on strict migration and requires strict immigration policy to address integration problems and exclusion, and the party programme requires that laws are upheld firmly.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto runs on strict migration and requires strict immigration policy to address integration problems and exclusion, and the party programme requires that laws are upheld firmly. The counter-proposal opposes carrier sanctions entirely. The plan's commitment to strictness and upheld order weighs more than its requirement for a generous refugee policy within EU cooperation.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet går till val på en stram migration och kräver en stram migrationspolitik för att komma åt integrationsproblem och utanförskap, och principprogrammet kräver att lagarna upprätthålls med fasthet. Motförslaget motsätter sig transportörsförbud helt. Planens åtagande om stramhet och upprätthållen ordning väger tyngre än dess krav på en generös flyktingpolitik inom EU-samarbetet.
- strict immigration policydecisive»Stram migrationspolitik krävs för att ta itu med integrationsproblem och utanförskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strict immigration policy is needed to address integration problems and exclusion.”
- strict migration as election promise»EN STRAM MIGRATION« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A STRICT MIGRATION”
- upheld order»Respekten för lagarna ska därför upprätthållas« (party programme ↗)“Respect for the laws shall therefore be upheld”
- generous refugee policy in EU cooperation»Sverige kan bäst verka för en generös och human« (party programme ↗)“Sweden can best work for a generous and humane”
The plan requires a strict and targeted migration policy with volume targets at Nordic levels, and states that openness is based on ordered processes and control of borders — openness is not the same as borderlessness.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a strict and targeted migration policy with volume targets at Nordic levels, and states that openness is based on ordered processes and control of borders — openness is not the same as borderlessness. A tool that can temporarily prevent transport of persons without valid identity documents follows from this border control line. The counter-proposal's requirement not to introduce such bans is therefore rejected by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en stram och målstyrd migrationspolitik med volymmål på nordiska nivåer, och slår fast att öppenhet bygger på ordnade processer och kontroll över gränserna – öppenhet är inte samma sak som gränslöshet. Ett verktyg som tillfälligt kan hindra transporter av personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar följer av denna gränskontrollinje. Motförslagets krav att inte införa sådana förbud avvisas därför av planen.
- strict migration policydecisive»Införa ett volymmål för asylmottagandet på nordiska nivåer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a volume target for asylum reception at Nordic levels”
- ordered processes at the border»Vår öppenhet mot omvärlden ska alltid bygga på ordnade« (party programme ↗)“Our openness toward the world shall always be based on ordered”
- border control»Öppenhet är inte samma sak som gränslöshet.« (party programme ↗)“Openness is not the same as borderlessness.”
- strengthened border control»Stärka EU:s gräns- och kustbevakning, Frontex, för att förbättra kontrollen över EU:s yttre gräns« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen EU's border and coast guard, Frontex, to improve control of EU's external border”
Worldstate weighed in: Continued migration pressure in Europe with over 1,300 asylum applications per month — Strengthens the plan's requirement for readiness for swift border measures
The plan requires that illegal immigration and the shadow economy be combated with more inspections, that migration flows to Sweden be stopped and that the Aliens Act be tightened to the strictest possible level.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that illegal immigration and the shadow economy be combated with more inspections, that migration flows to Sweden be stopped and that the Aliens Act be tightened to the strictest possible level. A ban for carriers from bringing in persons without valid identity documents is exactly such an inspection tool. The counter-proposal's demand not to introduce the ban therefore contradicts the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att illegal migration och skuggsamhället bekämpas med fler kontroller, att migrationsrörelserna till Sverige stoppas och att utlänningslagen skärps till striktast möjliga nivå. Ett förbud för transportörer att föra in personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar är exakt ett sådant kontrollverktyg. Motförslagets krav att inte införa förbudet strider därför mot planen.
- more inspections against illegal immigrationdecisive»Bekämpa skuggsamhället och illegal migration med fler kontroller och fler utvisningar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Combat the shadow economy and illegal immigration with more inspections and more deportations”
- stopped migration flows»Stoppa migrationsrörelser till Europa och Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop migration flows to Europe and Sweden”
- strictest aliens act»Skärpa reglerna i utlänningslagen till striktas möjliga nivå enligt EU-rätten« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Tighten the rules in the Aliens Act to the strictest possible level according to EU law”
- strengthened border surveillance»Verka för gemensam nordisk gränsbevakning av Nordens yttre gräns« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for common Nordic border surveillance of the Nordic region's external border”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:JuU11)
- Committee report full text (HB01JuU11)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:2796 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:62 Tillfälliga förbud att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar till Sverige av Gudrun Nordborg m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2023/24:2806 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:62 Tillfälliga förbud att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar till Sverige av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2813 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:62 Tillfälliga förbud att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar till Sverige av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C)
- Proposition 2023/24:62 — Tillfälliga förbud att transportera personer utan giltiga identitetshandlingar till Sverige
Source: The Swedish Parliament