Sweden: ‘Snitch law’ immigration plan erupts row

Doctors, social workers, and librarians in Sweden have raised concerns about a proposal “snitch law” from a government-appointed committee that could mandate public sector workers to report undocumented individuals to authorities. This proposal, labeled the “snitch law” by some, was part of a 2022 agreement between four right-wing parties, leading to a coalition government with support from the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD).

Almost two years after SD became Sweden’s second-largest party, work is underway to potentially enact this proposal into law. The committee is tasked with outlining how to integrate this into legislation, with a report due to the government by the end of November.

Although still in the early stages, the proposal, which could affect up to a million workers—including dentists and teachers—has faced significant opposition from rights advocates and professional groups. Critics argue that the proposal is inhumane and could deter people from accessing essential services like education and healthcare, out of fear of being reported. Michele LeVoy of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts on trust and the increased stigmatization and racism that could result.

LeVoy linked the proposal to a broader trend in Europe of criminalizing support for undocumented individuals, citing similar measures in Finland, Germany, and the UK. In the UK, “hostile environment” policies led to significant issues, including the misclassification of legal residents as immigration offenders.

Jacob Lind, a postdoctoral researcher at Malmö University, believes the proposal will likely exacerbate the problems faced by undocumented individuals, increasing their vulnerability and isolation rather than reducing their numbers. This perspective helps explain the widespread opposition to the plan, with over 150 Swedish regions, municipalities, trade unions, and civil society groups opposing it as of December 2023.

The Swedish Medical Association (SMA) has also voiced objections, arguing that the reporting requirements would conflict with professional ethics and could discourage people from seeking necessary care. The government has stated that the committee will consider whether the reporting obligations conflict with professional values and might create exemptions for certain situations.

Despite the government’s stance that the reporting requirements are crucial for managing legal migration and deportation, concerns remain. In May, a professional ethics council warned that the proposal could lead to serious ethical dilemmas for teachers, potentially resulting in civil disobedience. Librarians, too, have expressed strong opposition, with over 90% reportedly willing to lose their jobs rather than comply with the reporting requirements. Anna Troberg of the trade union DIK emphasized that the issue is ultimately about trust, humanity, and democracy.