Green Party warns government’s youth deportation reforms may exclude older teens

The Green Party has welcomed the government’s proposed reforms to youth deportation policies but warns the changes risk leaving out young adults who turned 21 before leaving Sweden, according to a statement to public broadcaster SVT on Monday.

Annika Hirvonen, the party’s migration policy spokesperson, called the Tidö parties’ proposal—allowing those under 21 to reapply for residency—a step forward but stressed that key details remain unresolved. “We’re concerned that not all the young people we’ve come to know during this time will be covered by these changes,” she said, pointing to cases where individuals had already turned 21 or arrived in Sweden unaccompanied and since put down roots.

The reforms, agreed between the government and the Sweden Democrats, would permit deported individuals under 21 to seek residency again. However, Hirvonen criticised the emphasis on rewarding only those deemed to have “done the right thing,” arguing that young migrants should not lose rights over minor missteps or struggles in school.

“We’ll scrutinise this legislation closely,” she said. “Our position is that all young people who’ve established themselves here should be able to stay.”

The proposals are set for parliamentary review this summer, with an October 1 implementation date. The Green Party indicated it may submit counterproposals if the current plan is deemed insufficient.

Hirvonen also dismissed the timing of the reforms as politically motivated, telling SVT that the government had only adjusted its stance under election pressure. “It’s only when the backlash grew and they realised they couldn’t win on deportation policies that Johan Forssell suddenly found his conscience,” she said.