Nadia-Victoriana CIORBA
Iuliana NEAGOȘ
| Abstract: | Immigration and crime have long been intertwined topics of scholarly study, political discussion, and public controversy. The prison systems of a significant number of Western countries show a disproportionate representation of immigrants. In Europe, a higher representation of immigrants in prisons has been documented. Sweden, one of the Nordic countries seen as a potential safe haven for immigrants, while not completely closing its doors, is tightening its immigration rules and investing heavily in expanding the Swedish Police Authority. To address escalating challenges, the government has established an organized crime council that brings together key stakeholders and coordinates actions to curb the trend. Its purpose is to implement stronger, more effective measures in combating organized crime. Immigrants are strongly affected by these measures. Research findings reveal that foreign-born residents are 2.5 times more frequently considered official suspects of a given crime than citizens with two native-born parents. The Police Authority has identified several “vulnerable areas”, geographically defined areas characterised by disadvantaged social and economic status, where the local community is influenced by criminals via coercion and other methods, within Swedish borders. Many of these vulnerable areas are inhabited by immigrants. Sweden is intensifying efforts to repatriate individuals not eligible to stay, implementing return initiatives and revoking residence permits were justified. The issue of immigration and its pressure on Swedish society, as well as integration issues and failures, are still relevant today. Most research does not establish a causal link between immigration and overall crime rates under typical conditions. However, in the last 15 years, first-generation immigrants have made up 53% of individuals serving long-term imprisonment, while those born in non-European countries comprise 44.5% of the population suffering from unemployment. |
| Keywords: | Sweden, immigration, immigration policy, organized crime, discrimination |