Sweden Opens Largest Return Center for Asylum Seekers
Sweden has opened its largest return center for asylum seekers with the aim of getting more foreign citizens with deportation orders to leave the country voluntarily. The center, located in Burlöv outside Malmö, is part of a pilot project that also includes four other locations in the country.
The investment in the so-called return centers is the government’s largest budget item in the area of migration next year, with almost SEK 300 million allocated in 2024. The aim is to offer accommodation to those who have had their asylum applications rejected and assist them in planning their return and re-establishment in their home country.
Anders Karlsson, head of unit at the Swedish Migration Agency, emphasizes that the return should be voluntary as long as the individuals participate in the process. The facility, which is an open operation, allows residents to come and go as they please.
The center in Burlöv, previously known as Arlöv Park Hotell, has historically been a temporary home for the homeless, new arrivals, and people who have had their asylum applications rejected. However, since the end of September, it has been transformed into Sweden’s largest return center with space for 250 people.
The Migration Agency acknowledges that some people may end up living in the return centers for a longer period of time. Plans to address this include providing employment opportunities and activities, ensuring all children have the right to attend school, and close cooperation with municipalities.
The idea of return centers in Sweden has been inspired by Denmark, which has faced criticism for its similar “excursion centers” where those placed are not allowed to work, study, or cook their own food. The Danish model has been criticized for making individuals passive and ill-prepared to return to their home countries.
Critics of Sweden’s return centers, including Green Party’s migration policy spokesperson Annika Hirvonen, raise concerns about the potential long-term impact on children and families and the need to ensure individuals’ lives are not completely disrupted. The Swedish Migration Agency plans to create around 2,000 places at the centers by the end of 2024, but acknowledges that there may be a shortage due to potential changes in legislation regarding asylum accommodations.
The government’s focus on return centers and a potential shift in migration policy has sparked dialogue on the approach towards individuals who have had their asylum applications rejected and the importance of preparing them for a voluntary return to their home countries.