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Finland has approved amendments to its Aliens Act, granting authorities broader powers to detain non-citizens and impose long-term entry bans on those deemed threats to public order or national security, The revised law, signed by President Alexander Stubb on Friday, comes into force on 6 May…
It extends detention limits and allows more severe restrictions on foreign nationals in cases involving deportation or risk of absconding, The new provisions enable Finnish authorities to detain a non-citizen for up to 18 months during deportation proceedings, up from the previous 12-month maximum. Individuals considered a security threat can now be held for up to a year even before a removal decision is made.
The law also allows children to be detained for up to six months in certain situations. A child may be kept in detention with a custodian for up to three months to preserve family contact, with the period extendable if deportation is delayed due to non-cooperation by the adult.
An expanded definition of “risk of absconding” has been introduced to clarify detention conditions. The legislation also tightens rules around entry bans. Third-country nationals who do not leave Finland by the required deadline may now face bans of up to 15 years, tripling the previous limit of five. Authorities also retain the right to issue indefinite bans in certain cases.
A person residing outside Finland may now have their residence permit withdrawn and be subjected to an entry ban without being interviewed, if they are found to pose a danger to public order or national security, According to the Finnish government the changes are part of a wider effort to reinforce the country’s migration control policies. A government statement issued Thursday said the amendments aim to “ensure efficient removal of individuals who are staying in the country illegally, to better safeguard public order and national security, and to prepare for new kinds of situations that could jeopardise security.”
