A set of amendments to the Aliens Act, made by the four-party alliance government led by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) to tighten Finland´s immigration policy entered into force on Tuesday.
The amendments laid down more detailed provisions on the definition of legal residence, said Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) in a press release.
The amendments also extend the duration of an entry ban and the maximum detention period.
As per the new law, a fixed-term entry ban for up to 15 years may be imposed on a third-country national. Before the amendments, the Aliens Act allowed fixed-term entry bans of up to 5 years to be imposed on third-country nationals.
Issuing an entry ban that is valid until further notice is still possible even after the amendments. An entry ban will usually prohibit entry into the entire European Union area and the Schengen area.
“From now on, the residence permit of a foreign national who does not reside in Finland may be withdrawn and an entry ban may be imposed on him or her for reasons of public order and security or because of endangering national security without having to hear the person in Finland. An entry ban may also be imposed if the person has concealed facts or has presented false information,” said Johanna Waal, Director of Legal and Specialist Services Unit.
People who reside in Finland and receive a decision on removal from the country now have an obligation to cooperate. The obligation to cooperate means that the person is required to cooperate with the authorities in all stages of the removal process. An entry ban may be imposed on a person who refuses to comply with the obligation to cooperate.
A foreign national may be detained in certain situations laid down in law, such as when there are grounds to suspect that the person will try to avoid being removed from the country.
Detaining a person becomes possible also if detention is considered necessary for ensuring public security.
“The maximum time for holding a client who has received a decision on removal from the country in detention is extended from 12 months to 18 months. The detention period may be extended from 6 months to 12 months already before issuing a decision on removal from the country if the person is considered a danger to public order and security or to national security. The Finnish Immigration Service has now been given the right to impose a residence obligation or an obligation to report on an asylum seeker who lives in a reception centre and is at least 18 years of age,” said Waal.
The decisions on detaining a person are made by the police or the border authorities. The Migri runs the detention units and is responsible for directing, planning and supervising the practical detention unit operations.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
