Denmark is set to scrap its existing rules that balance the severity of a crime with the length of time an immigrant has lived in the country when considering deportation.
Instead, under a new proposal, any foreign national who receives an unsuspended prison sentence will face automatic deportation, regardless of the crime’s seriousness or their time in Denmark.
Immigration and Integration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek defended the amendment, stating that foreigners are disproportionately involved in serious crimes, including violent offenses and sexual assaults. “We must not accept that,” Bek declared. “Every criminal foreigner who is deported by Denmark is a victory for the rule of law and our country.”
Government figures reveal that individuals from non-Western backgrounds account for nearly 30% of violent crimes and over 32% of rapes, despite comprising just 10.6% of the population. The current “step ladder” system, which makes it harder to deport long-term immigrants, would be abolished in favor of stricter measures. Only “international obligations” would limit these deportations.
In 2021, Denmark ordered 1,105 foreign nationals to be deported. With the proposed law, set to take effect in July 2025, hundreds more are expected to face expulsion annually.
Critics argue this policy could erode human rights protections and disrupt lives of long-term residents over minor infractions. Yet, the Danish government frames it as a bold stand for public safety and the rule of law, signaling a tough stance that could ripple across other EU nations navigating similar debates on immigration and crime.
