2026-06-162025/26:SfU33 · p.2SfUMigration & social insurance
Foreigners who arrived in Sweden before reaching age 15
Exception for foreign nationals who arrived in Sweden before turning 15
What's at stake: The question is whether people who have grown up in Sweden since childhood should be able to avoid deportation for crimes through special exemption rules, or whether the same tightened deportation rules should apply equally to everyone, which affects both crime-fighting efforts and the situation of people with many years of ties to the country.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The motions called for people who arrived in Sweden before turning 15 and have resided in the country for at least five years to be granted leniency from deportation on especially compassionate grounds, while the committee held that the government's tightened and more uniform balancing test should apply without such a special exception.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions calling for leniency for people who arrived in Sweden before turning 15, and maintains that a crime should trigger deportation grounds already when the penalty is stricter than a fine, and that the balancing test should be tightened so that the reasons for deportation must outweigh the reasons against it, with no more consideration given to opposing reasons than Sweden's international commitments require.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 4 (C)
The reserving party (C) considers it disproportionate to completely remove consideration of what is in principle a lifelong stay in Sweden, and wants people who arrived before turning 15 and have resided in the country for at least five years to be able to receive leniency on especially compassionate grounds, with the government asked to bring forward such a proposal.
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: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 4 by C.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Abstain 0/0/21/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | Yes | Yes 105/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/18/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | No 0/24/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 18/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 66/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | Yes | Yes 70/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2025/26:4095 by Niels Paarup-Petersen et al. (C) demand 4 and 2025/26:4097 by Annika Hirvonen et al. (MP) demand 5.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:4095 av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C) yrkande 4 och 2025/26:4097 av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP) yrkande 5.
Riksdag decision: Parliament said yes to the Government's proposal to tighten the rules on expulsion due to crime so that more foreigners who commit crimes are expelled. As a main rule, crimes that carry stricter punishment than fines can lead to expulsion. Furthermore, the balancing of reasons for and against expulsion in more cases shall lead to expulsion. The rules are also changed so that persons who came to Sweden before reaching the age of 15 no longer receive the same protection against expulsion. Furthermore, courts should no longer take into account implementation obstacles, that is, practical obstacles to carrying out the expulsion. Furthermore, re-entry bans will become longer and in certain cases apply without time limit. Prosecutors should also in certain cases be obliged to request expulsion in criminal proceedings. Finally, stricter penalties for certain crimes under the Aliens Act are introduced. The legislative changes begin to apply on 1 September 2026.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the Riksdag to reject the proposal for a mandatory duty for prosecutors to demand deportation. (C) — Reservation 4
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 is built on the fact that a secure and permanent existence is what makes people put down roots, and that children's rights must be strengthened and the child's best interest be the starting point.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan is built on the fact that a secure and permanent existence is what makes people put down roots, and that children's rights must be strengthened and the child's best interest be the starting point. To completely disregard a practically lifelong stay when someone came here as a child conflicts with that, and the plan moreover requires that penalties be carefully and proportionally designed. Relief for especially grave reasons for those who came before the age of 15 is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger på att en trygg och permanent tillvaro är det som gör att människor rotar sig, och på att barns rättigheter ska stärkas och barnets bästa vara utgångspunkt. Att helt bortse från en i praktiken livslång vistelse när någon kom hit som barn strider mot det, och planen kräver dessutom att påföljder utformas noggrant och proportionerligt. Lättnader vid särskilt ömmande skäl för den som kom före 15 års ålder stöds därför av planen.
- permanent existence gives rootingdecisive»det är genom en trygg och permanent tillvaro i samhället som vi människor rotar oss« (2022 manifesto ↗)“it is through a secure and permanent existence in society that we humans put down roots”
- stronger children's rights»Utvecklingen mot starkare rättigheter för barn är en av de progressiva« (party programme ↗)“Development towards stronger children's rights is one of the progressive”
- proportional penalties»Straff och andra påföljder för brott behöver vara noggrant« (party programme ↗)“Punishment and other penalties for crime need to be carefully”
- cohesion instead of exclusion»Genom att hålla ihop skapar vi trygga liv för alla.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“By holding together we create secure lives for all.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto establishes that the fight against crime must be uncompromising and that the tightened migration policy is firm, and the party programme requires sentences proportionate to the gravity of offences.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that the fight against crime must be uncompromising and that the tightened migration policy is firm, and the party programme requires sentences proportionate to the gravity of offences. A special mitigation rule for those who came to the country before age 15 contradicts that line. The plan's requirement for legal security allows for proportionality in individual cases, but not for a general exception.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att kampen mot kriminaliteten ska vara kompromisslös och att den åtstramade migrationspolitiken ligger fast, och partiprogrammet kräver straff i paritet med brottens allvar. En särskild lättnadsregel för den som kom till landet före 15 års ålder går emot den linjen. Planens krav på rättssäkerhet ger utrymme för proportionalitet i det enskilda fallet, men inte för ett generellt undantag.
- uncompromising crime preventiondecisive»Kampen mot kriminaliteten ska vara kompromisslös.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The fight against crime must be uncompromising.”
- strict migration policy»Vi har stramat åt migrationspolitiken, och denna linje ligger fast.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We have tightened migration policy, and this line is firm.”
- punishment proportionate to crime severity»Straff i paritet med brottens allvar.« (party programme ↗)“Sentences proportionate to the gravity of offences.”
- legally secure criminal policy»Kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet.« (party programme ↗)“Criminal policy built on evidence, effectiveness and legal security.”
The counter-proposal wants to give relief on especially compassionate grounds for people who came to Sweden as children before age 15 and have lived here for a long time.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to give relief on especially compassionate grounds for people who came to Sweden as children before age 15 and have lived here for a long time. The plan states that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is Swedish law and that the best interests of the child shall always be decisive, and that the child perspective shall permeate the migration laws. It also emphasises the security of being able to put down roots in a new place, which bears the counter-proposal's proportionality objection.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill ge lättnader vid särskilt ömmande skäl för personer som kom till Sverige som barn före 15 års ålder och vistats här länge. Planen slår fast att barnkonventionen är svensk lag och att barnets bästa alltid ska vara avgörande, samt att barnperspektivet ska genomsyra migrationslagarna. Den betonar också tryggheten i att kunna rota sig på en ny plats, vilket bär motförslagets proportionalitetsinvändning.
- best interests of the child decisivedecisive»Barnkonventionen är svensk lag och barnets bästa« (party programme ↗)“The Convention on the Rights of the Child is Swedish law and the best interests of the child”
- child perspective in migration laws»Barnperspektivet ska genomsyra migrationslagarna, och Sverige ska ta vara på den stora kraft som finns i nya invånares vilja att delta i samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The child perspective shall permeate the migration laws, and Sweden shall make use of the great force that exists in new residents' willingness to participate in society.”
- security to put down roots»vetskapen om att du kan rota dig på en ny plats är en annan. Genom medkänsla, omtanke« (party programme ↗)“knowledge that you can put down roots in a new place is another. Through compassion, care”
- human migration policy»Vi gröna står för en human och rättssäker migrationspolitik. I en tid där människor som« (party programme ↗)“We Greens stand for a human and rights-secure migration policy. In a time when people who”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan stands for a generous and humane migration policy and for individual rights against the state, with an explicit no to collective punishment and other legal shortcuts.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan stands for a generous and humane migration policy and for individual rights against the state, with an explicit no to collective punishment and other legal shortcuts. To completely disregard a practically lifelong residence for someone who arrived as a child contradicts the proportionality and child perspective the plan is built on. Therefore, alleviations on particularly compassionate grounds are supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen står för en generös och human migrationspolitik och för individens rättigheter gentemot staten, med ett uttryckligt nej till kollektiv bestraffning och andra rättsstatliga genvägar. Att helt bortse från en i praktiken livslång vistelse för den som kom hit som barn strider mot den proportionalitet och det barnperspektiv planen bygger på. Därför stöds lättnader vid särskilt ömmande skäl.
- humane migration policydecisive»Centerpartiet strävar efter öppna gränser, fri rörlighet samt en generös och human flykting- och invandringspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“The Center Party strives for open borders, free movement and a generous and humane refugee and immigration policy.”
- no to collective punishment»Rättsstaten och individens rättigheter gentemot staten måste försvaras. Vi säger därför nej till visitationszoner, kollektiv bestraffning, omvänd bevisbörda, anonyma vittnen, preventiv avlyssning och inskränkningar av religionsfriheten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The rule of law and individual rights against the state must be defended. We therefore say no to stop-and-search zones, collective punishment, reversed burden of proof, anonymous witnesses, preventive surveillance and restrictions on religious freedom.”
- child's right and perspective»Särskilt viktigt är att värna varje barns rätt att bli respekterad och att bli sedd för den man är.« (party programme ↗)“It is especially important to protect every child's right to be respected and to be seen for who they are.”
- everyone's equal rights and value»Alla människor har lika rätt och värde, alla har samma grundläggande rättigheter och skyldigheter.« (party programme ↗)“All people have equal rights and value, everyone has the same basic rights and duties.”
The election manifesto requires that recidivism more easily lead to deportation for those who are not Swedish citizens and that deportation is always considered for serious crimes, without exceptions tied to length of stay.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that recidivism more easily lead to deportation for those who are not Swedish citizens and that deportation is always considered for serious crimes, without exceptions tied to length of stay. The counter-proposal's easements for those who came here before age 15 pull in the opposite direction. The plan's child perspective in asylum review tempers but does not bear the requirement.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att återfall i brott lättare ska leda till utvisning för den som inte är svensk medborgare och att utvisning alltid prövas vid grova brott, utan undantag knutna till vistelsetid. Motförslagets lättnader för den som kom hit före 15 års ålder går i motsatt riktning. Planens barnperspektiv i asylprövningen mildrar men bär inte kravet.
- more deportations of criminalsdecisive»Återfall i brott ska lättare leda till utvisning för den som inte är svensk medborgare, och vid grova vålds- och sexualbrott liksom hat- eller hedersrelaterade brott ska utvisning alltid prövas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Recidivism shall more easily lead to deportation for those who are not Swedish citizens, and for serious violent and sexual crimes as well as hate or honor-related crimes deportation shall always be considered.”
- stricter enforcement of deportation»Fler som väntar på både utvisning och avvisning ska hållas i förvar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More awaiting both deportation and return shall be held in detention.”
- child perspective in migration law»Särskild hänsyn ska tas till barns egna asylskäl, och ensamkommande barn ska särskilt värnas.« (party programme ↗)“Special consideration shall be given to children's own asylum grounds, and unaccompanied children shall be particularly protected.”
The election manifesto requires strict immigration policy and consistent crime prevention, and the party programme establishes that all crimes shall be prosecuted without exception.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires strict immigration policy and consistent crime prevention, and the party programme establishes that all crimes shall be prosecuted without exception. The counter-proposal wants to introduce measures that make deportation harder for a group defined by length of stay, which weakens precisely that connection between crime and sanction. The programme's requirement for a child perspective in migration matters pulls partly in the other direction but does not support a general measure reducing penalties for adults.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver en stram migrationspolitik och en konsekvent brottsbekämpning, och principprogrammet slår fast att alla brott ska beivras utan undantag. Motförslaget vill införa lättnader som gör utvisning svårare för en grupp definierad av vistelsetid, vilket försvagar just den kopplingen mellan brott och påföljd. Programmets krav på barnperspektiv i migrationsärenden drar delvis åt andra hållet men bär inte en generell lättnadsregel för vuxna.
- strict immigration policydecisive»Stram migrationspolitik krävs för att ta itu med integrationsproblem och utanförskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strict immigration policy is required to address integration problems and exclusion.”
- all crimes shall be prosecuted»Alla brott ska effektivt och utan undantag beivras, också sådana som kan avfärdas som smärre brott och förseelser.« (party programme ↗)“All crimes shall be effectively prosecuted without exception, also those that might be dismissed as minor crimes and offences.”
- zero tolerance for abuse»Övergrepp och kränkningar av medmänniskors integritet och egendom kan aldrig tolereras.« (party programme ↗)“Abuse and violation of other people's integrity and property can never be tolerated.”
- child perspective in migration matters»Barnperspektivet ska alltid finnas med i migrationsärenden.« (party programme ↗)“The child perspective should always be included in migration matters.”
The plan states that those who hold citizenship in another country and commit crimes at prison level shall be deported, without exception tied to length of stay.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that those who hold citizenship in another country and commit crimes at prison level shall be deported, without exception tied to length of stay. It furthermore wants more clan members and gang members to be deported. The counter-proposal's demand for relief under particularly compelling grounds for those who came here before age 15 runs directly against this commitment, and the party programme puts the crime victim perspective before the perpetrator's.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att den som har medborgarskap i annat land och begår brott på fängelsenivå ska utvisas, utan undantag kopplat till vistelsetid. Den vill dessutom att fler klanmedlemmar och gängmedlemmar utvisas. Motförslagets krav på lättnader vid särskilt ömmande skäl för dem som kom hit före 15 års ålder går rakt emot detta åtagande, och partiprogrammet sätter brottsofferperspektivet före gärningsmannens.
- utvisning vid brott på fängelsenivådecisive»Utvisa den som har medborgarskap i annat land och begår brott på fängelsenivå« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deport those who hold citizenship in another country and commit crimes at prison level”
- utvisning oavsett dom»Utvisa gängmedlemmar, som inte är svenska medborgare, oavsett om de dömts för brott« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deport gang members who are not Swedish citizens, regardless of whether they have been convicted of a crime”
- fler utvisningar»Se till att fler kriminella klanmedlemmar utvisas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure that more criminal clan members are deported”
- brottsofferperspektiv»Brottsoffrens perspektiv är viktigt i kriminalpolitiken.« (party programme ↗)“The crime victim perspective is important in criminal policy.”
The election manifesto requires that the immigration law be stiffened to the strictest possible level according to EU law and that foreign criminals be deported.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that the immigration law be stiffened to the strictest possible level according to EU law and that foreign criminals be deported. Regarding deportation, the plan explicitly establishes that no consideration should be given to the person's connection in Sweden. The counter-proposal's easings for those who came here before the age of 15 therefore goes directly against the plan's commitment.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att utlänningslagen skärps till striktast möjliga nivå enligt EU-rätten och att utländska kriminella utvisas. I fråga om utvisning slår planen uttryckligen fast att ingen hänsyn bör tas till personens anknytning i Sverige. Motförslagets lättnader för den som kom hit före 15 års ålder går därför rakt emot planens åtagande.
- strictest possible immigration lawdecisive»Skärpa reglerna i utlänningslagen till striktas möjliga nivå enligt EU-rätten« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stiffen the rules in the immigration law to the strictest possible level according to EU law”
- connection shall not hinder deportation»När det kommer till sådana utvisningar bör ingen hänsyn tas till personens anknytning i Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“When it comes to such deportations no consideration should be taken to the person's connection in Sweden.”
- deport foreign criminals»Utvisa utländska kriminella och återkalla uppehållstillstånd och, där det är möjligt, medborgarskap för invandrare som begår grova brott« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deport foreign criminals and revoke residence permits and, where possible, citizenship for immigrants who commit serious crimes”
- lowered thresholds for deportation»Trösklarna för att ta i förvar och utvisa personer samt verkställa utvisningar behöver också sänkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The thresholds for detaining and deporting persons and executing deportations need to be lowered.”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:SfU33)
- Committee report full text (HD01SfU33)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:4090 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:235 Skärpta regler om utvisning på grund av brott av Tony Haddou m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:4095 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:235 Skärpta regler om utvisning på grund av brott av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:4097 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:235 Skärpta regler om utvisning på grund av brott av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP)
- Proposition 2025/26:235 — Skärpta regler om utvisning på grund av brott
Source: The Swedish Parliament