Swedish government orders tighter security at deportation centres

The Swedish government has instructed the Migration Agency to strengthen security at its deportation centres following an investigation by public broadcaster SVT that revealed serious shortcomings, SVT Nyheter reports.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell (Moderate Party) announced the measures on Tuesday, stating that standards at the facilities must be raised. “We will ensure higher standards,” Forssell said.

The centres, which house both asylum seekers awaiting decisions and those whose applications have been rejected, were exposed in an SVT investigation in February as chaotic environments where children were at risk. Shortly after the report was published, a suspected rape of a child occurred at a centre in Märsta.

The government has now allocated 155 million kronor (approximately 13.8 million euros) to improve conditions, including increased staff presence outside office hours, CCTV surveillance, and structured activities for children such as homework support, play, and rest.

“These are places where people should not stay long. We want short processing times,” Forssell said. “Unfortunately, there are adults who make poor decisions and refuse to return home. But the children should not have to pay the price for that.”

The centres are a cornerstone of the government’s stricter migration policy, designed to centralise accommodation for both asylum applicants and those facing deportation.