Denmark Reshapes Its Immigration Policies

When the Liberal-Conservative coalition led by Lars Løkke Rasmussen came to power in Denmark in 2001, it relied on support from the right-wing and staunchly anti-immigrant Danish People's Party [Danske Folkeparty – DF]. As a result of that union, Denmark passed some of the strictest immigration and asylum laws in Europe. Among other things, its policies restricted benefits to immigrants, limited their ability to work and required Danes marrying a foreigner to post an $11,600 bond. The number of asylum seekers and relatives of immigrants applying for entry into the country dropped by nearly 70% over nine years, and the DPP moved closer to its goal: a complete end to immigration from non-Western countries. [...]

The government's common policy outlines a number of concrete changes. They include automatic citizenship for children born and raised in Denmark, regardless of their parents' citizenship; equal welfare rights for immigrants and Danes; vast reductions in application fees and cash securities; expanded work benefits for asylum seekers; and the possibility of dual citizenship, which will ease the naturalization process. The coalition also plans to ease family reunification rules, which have seen 800 children denied residency permits since 2005, frequently leading to the separation of children and their parents.


Read more at Time with interesting comments

Tips for the Denmark Green Card Program

Denmark Green Card is a points system for immigration specialists and managers, offering a three-year residence permit to the applicant and their accompanying family members. Selection factors that form part of the point system includes educational and professional qualifications of the applicant, language, number of years of experience in claims, occupation, age of the principal applicant and different other factors such as experience and won the European educational qualifications. Denmark Government announced positive list of professions which forms the basis of green card applicants Denmark

Immigrants should do a careful review of the points based system and careful calculation of the points in the various factors that are part of the selection criteria set for Denmark a green card. It should apply only if meet the minimum pass mark.

Immigrants candidate must have clarity as to whether the applicant's occupation figures in the positive list of professions. This positive list is based on an assessment of government jobs that have job opportunities and scope in Denmark and the winner likely to be successful immigrants in Denmark.

Read more at Immigration

Strict Immigration Laws 'Save Denmark Billions'

Denmark's strict immigration laws have saved the country 6.7 billion euros, a government report has claimed. Even though Denmark already has some of the toughest immigration laws in Europe, right-wing populist politicians are now trying to make them even more restrictive.

Denmark's strict immigration laws have saved the country billions in benefits, a government report has claimed. The Integration Ministry report has now led to calls among right-wing populists to clamp down further on immigrants to increase the savings.
But the report has sparked outrage from opposition parties like the centrist Social Liberal Party, which dismissed it as undignified and discriminatory. The party's integration spokeswoman, Marianne Jelved, said: "A certain group of people is being denounced and being blamed for our deficit, being made into whipping boys." She added: "We cannot classify people depending on their value to the economy. That is degrading in a democracy that has a basic value of equality."
Still, the announcement has not come as surprise. The right-wing populist DPP, which has been working with the ruling center-right coalition government of Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen since 2001, has in the past made its aims very clear: a complete halt to immigration into Denmark from non-Western countries. "A Somali who is no good for anything, that is simply not acceptable," said DPP leader Pia Kjærsgaard. Similarly, center-right liberal Prime Minister Rasmussen has also said anyone who would be a burden on Denmark is not welcome in the country.
Right-wing populists have even demanded a ban on satellite dishes so that TV stations like al-Jazeera and Al Arabiya cannot be beamed into Danish living rooms. There have also been suggestions to exempt migrants from the minimum wage -- supposedly to make it easier for foreigners to gain access to the labor market.
But things may soon get pushed even further. Elections are due to be held this fall, and the ruling parties apparently want to put forward even stricter rules, driven by the xenophobic rhetoric of the right-wing populists.
Some immigrants have already turned their back on Denmark voluntarily. Increasing numbers of Somalis are moving away, especially to the UK, the Jyllands Posten reported on Thursday, because of discrimination.

Read more at Der Spiegel

Le Danemark veut limiter l'accès de l'Etat-providence pour les étrangers

Les étrangers vivant au Danemark pourraient dans un avenir proche avoir à payer leur droit aux prestations sociales, éducation ou soins par exemple, à la différence des Danois. Cette proposition, faite fin mars par le premier ministre libéral danois Lars Løkke Rasmussen, est largement soutenu par une majorité des Danois.

[...] le plan pourrait signifier entre autres que les étrangers devraient avoir une assurance privée pour couvrir leurs soins de santé les quatre premières années de leur séjour. "Il sera plus dur d'attirer des employés de l'étranger si ces derniers doivent payer les impôts parmi les plus élevés au monde sans avoir droit aux mêmes services que leurs collègues", critique Thomas Christensen, conseiller de Dansk Industri, le patronat danois.

La proposition du premier ministre est soutenue par son parti libéral et par l'extrême-droite. Mais l'autre parti du gouvernement, le parti conservateur, est sceptique, à l'instar du patronat. Il craint que cette discrimination ne décourage les étrangers de venir travailler au Danemark et que cela cause du tort aux entreprises danoises qui auront du mal à recruter la main d'œuvre dont elle a besoin. A l'instar de la ministre de l'économie française, Christine Lagarde, qui a pris ses distances, jeudi soir, avec le ministre de l'intérieur, Claude Guéant, qui proposait une limitation de l'immigration du travail.

Le gouvernement voudrait aussi supprimer la pré-retraite et augmenter l'âge de la retraite. Les mesures restrictives concernant l'accès aux services sociaux pour les étrangers vont être discutées dans les mois à venir alors que des élections législatives doivent se tenir au plus tard en novembre prochain.

Read more at Le Monde

Denmark and Human Rights

Critics of Denmark's tightening rules on immigration and integration say the country is violating European norms, including human rights legislation. How much has Denmark's approach to these issues been transformed under pressure from a right-wing populist party?

There are new stricter requirements for would-be immigrants, and for those already in Denmark, who wish to marry a Dane. This is in addition to the already high minimum age of 24 for both the Danish and the foreign would-be spouse, proof of financial independence and an "active commitment to Danish society".
Anti-DPP protestors outside the Danish parliament Opponents of the new points system made their feelings known outside the Danish parliament

European and international bodies have pointed out that some of these laws and regulations could be in breach of human rights legislation.

Professor Margot Horspool, a specialist in European law at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, says that the restrictions on marrying foreigners "almost certainly breach European Union law in respect of discrimination as to ethnic origin, and possibly as to age".
She also believes the rules may violate EU legal protection of "the right to family life".

Another tightening of the rules prohibits state-funded hostels for the homeless from accepting foreigners who do not have permanent residency status. Reports say that this has led to people freezing to death in the sub-zero winter temperatures.
This, suggests Professor Horspool, breaks EU legal commitments not to subject individuals to inhuman or degrading treatment, laws that amount to an "obligation on the member state to ensure that humans are not left out in the street to freeze or indeed to starve."

The Danish government denies that its laws breach human rights, and says the 24-year age restriction is to prevent forced marriages.

All this is part, say critics, of a decade-long transformation in Denmark's approach to immigration and integration, under pressure from the populist Danish People's party, the DPP.
The DPP is led by Pia Kjaersgaard, a former social worker in an old people's home. "We founded the party because of too many immigrants," she says.
She likes to present a homely, common sense image. "I am very powerful," she told me, "but I am also just a housewife and mother".
Denmark's Muslim population are the party's particular focus. There are many Muslims, its says, who are unwilling to integrate and hostile to "Danish values" such as free speech.

Read more at BBC

Denmark's gang war

A bloody gang war between bikers and youths of immigrant origin has shattered Copenhagen's customary calm, prompting officials into threatening draconian legislation.
The latest street violence was sparked in August 2008 when a young Turkish man was killed, supposedly by a member of the Hells Angels group.
Since then, the conflict has left dozens dead or wounded - some innocent bystanders.
Not everyone agrees that the violence is part of a turf war over organised crime. Some see race and the so-called 'integration problem' as the chief cause.
Khaled Ramadan, an academic, artist and journalist, says that second and third generation immigrants are feeling frustrated by the Danish establishment.

There are concerns that the long-simmering feud will fuel existing anti-immigrant sentiment in a country where limiting immigration has become a cornerstone of government policy.
Immigrants account for about eight per cent of Denmark's 5.5 million people. Of these, there are an estimated 270,000 Muslims.
Many arrived in the 1970s from Turkey, Pakistan and Morocco to work in Denmark. In the 1980s and 1990s the majority of Muslim arrivals were refugees and asylum seekers from Lebanon, Bosnia, Iraq and Somalia.
Following the 9/11 attacks and the Madrid and London bombings, many immigrants feel that Islamophobia and racism is on the rise across Europe.
Denmark seems to have taken a turn to the right. Neo-Nazi groups have emerged with new slogans, such as "Denmark for Danes" and "close the borders", and many immigrants say they no longer feel welcome in Denmark.

More at Al Jazeera with video (23:29 minutes)

Foreigners paid to leave Denmark

Immigrants who can’t or won’t integrate into Danish society will get a bonus if they return home
The Danish People’s Party (DF) has strengthened its immigration stance by securing an agreement to pay ‘anti-social’ foreigners 100,000 kroner to leave Denmark.
As part of the on-going budget negotiations, the government’s traditional ally DF said it secured the agreement late last night.
Refugees and those who come to Denmark under family reunification schemes currently get 28,256 in repatriation support if they leave, of which 11,000 is a bonus. The bonus is usually paid out a year after the recipient returns home and their right to Danish residency expires.
The new deal would see 100,000 kroner given as a bonus if a foreigner returns home and gives up their residency rights in Denmark.
Neither the government nor DF has yet elaborated on what constitutes an ‘anti-social’ foreigner, but have said that it would be aimed at those who ‘can’t or won’t integrate’.
According to DF party leader Pia Kjærsgaard, the move will save the state a significant sum in local costs which are administered by local and regional councils.

But opposition parties are shocked by the news saying it sends a clear signal to foreigners that Denmark wants to see them leave the country.

Read the juicy comments at The Copenhagen Post

Stop deportation

Click the image for zoom

Danes and Islam

The Danes (who are atheists and agnostics for centuries) are unhappy with the idea of increased Muslim influence. Modern Islam has a bad relationship with free speech, human rights, freedom of religion, etc and there are nationalist forces at work as well. Muslims taking over is expressed mainly by the right-wing media in U.S.A. (which also happens to be largely Christian). Townhall.com (1 and 2), FreeRepublic.com, etc – those are the places where you’ll hear the most about the ‘muslim takeover’ of Europe (also in Denmark). Many says that Europe is as good as fallen to Muslims.

Examples of popular right-wing Christians’ and some of their comments on Islam – either raising fears of an Islamicized Europe or Islam in general:
1. Pat Robertson: Islam is not a religion, it’s a political movement (video)
2. Hal Lindsey: The Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad (book)

Further references about immigration in Denmark:
1. Danes’ Growing Hostility To Mixed-Race Couples/ Immigration Laws Force Spouses To Live In Sweden (American Reinassance)
2. Denmark passes tough migrant laws (CNN)
3. Metock Case Ruling: EU Brings Down Danish Immigration Law (Brussels Journal)
4. Danish immigration law under fire after EU court ruling (EU observer)

Entrance fee

Foreigners could be charged 3000 kroner for a mandatory Danish language test from next year

Foreigners seeking residency through family reunification may be required to cough up 3000 kroner for a new mandatory Danish language test, reports Kristeligt Dagblad newspaper. [...]

Marianne Jelved, the Social Liberal integration spokeswoman, was baffled by the cost of taking the test and said her party did not support such immigration procedures. [...]

But Danish People’s Party MP Jesper Langballe said if the test could cut down the number of immigrants coming to Denmark, then it would serve its purpose.

‘We wouldn’t be sorry if it meant the number of applicants fell,’ he said.

Spouses of Danish citizens who come to Denmark after living in another EU country will be exempt from taking the test.

More at Copenhagen Post. Interesting to read the comments.

Foreigners' Assimilation

Søren Espersen, a proud member of parliament for Dansk Folkeparti (Danish People’s Party) and a true clone of Holger Danske, wrote an article in Politiken, Se at blive danskere (in danish). The english translation can be read at Gates of Vienna.
The bottom line: Assimilation shouldn’t really be a shameful word, but something that we can demand of immigrants.
So, a foreigner in Denmark should forget all his/er roots, native language, culture, tradition, everything..., when s/he comes to Denmark. And these, what for?

Danes see strict immigration laws under threat by EU

Nothing in Denmark is as popular politically as the strict policy on foreigners to which the prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, adheres. And so the recent ruling by the European Court of Justice affirming the right of family reunification within the European Union went down in Copenhagen like a bombshell. Rasmussen and a huge majority in the Danish parliament, together with leading media, plan to defend Denmark's immigration laws with all the means at their disposal.
"We'll make sure that you can't get around our rules on family reunification by going through back doors," Rasmussen told the Politiken newspaper this week.
According to the ruling by the Luxembourg-based court, the EU's highest legal body, EU members may not refuse entry or right of residence to non-EU spouses and family members. This means a Danish citizen, having worked in another EU country, could bring his or her spouse back to Denmark even if the spouse is a failed asylum seeker or previously resided illegally in the EU.
Under current Danish law, a Dane may not bring a non-EU spouse into the country unless both partners are at least 24 years of age. Other strict conditions must be met too. For example, the Dane must lodge a bond, and the pair must show they have a permanent home and that their ties to Denmark are stronger than to any other country.

Read more: The Earth Times

Danish immigration rules challenged by EU ruling

Denmark seems set for a heated debate over its immigration rules and obligations as a member of the European Union, after a recent EU ruling on free movement of people in the 27-nation bloc.
The ramifications of the ruling by the European Court of Justice, based on a case from Ireland, continued Wednesday to echo in Denmark.
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen was quoted by the Politiken newspaper as saying that there was a need to clarify that Danish citizens 'have the same rights as all other EU citizens' and that he would consult with other EU countries that also oppose the ruling.
'I have a political responsibility to ensure that a firm and fair policy on immigration is upheld,' the premier said.
Rasmussen has headed a minority government consisting of his Liberal Party and junior partner, the Conservatives, since 2001.
The government has relied on support from the Danish People's Party that has strongly influenced tighter immigration policies.
'It has to be stated that Denmark determines its immigration policies,' Pia Kjaersgaard, leader of the EU sceptical Danish People's Party, told the Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
One controversial principle includes that Danish citizens are not allowed to bring a foreign spouse into the country unless both partners were aged 24 or more.
The Luxembourg-based court ruling July 25 said that anyone with legal residence in the EU should be able to live in any member state with their spouse and children, suggesting that the Danish principle may come under question.
The Danish People's Party has now signalled it wants a say over EU matters, indicating a tougher ride for Rasmussen.
The premier has so far sought deals on EU issues - most recently on the Lisbon Treaty - with the opposition Social Democrats, Social Liberals and Socialist People's Party.
In a separate development, Kjaersgaard, 61, was Wednesday taken to hospital after she complained that she felt unwell.

Source: m&c

Danish immigration law under fire

A recent EU court immigration ruling is causing headaches for the Danish centre-right government and may deliver a blow to the country's immigration policies, which are amongst the most restrictive in Europe.

The European Union's highest court ruled last Friday (25 July) in a case of four couples living in Ireland that spouses of EU citizens who are not themselves EU citizens can not be prevented from living in the Republic.

Previously, under Irish law, a spouse from outside the European Union must have lived in another member state first in order to win residency rights. However the court ruled that this is in breach of EU law on the free movement of citizens.

Inspired by the new EU ruling, a number of couples turned up on Monday (28 July) at the Danish Ministry for Integration in Copenhagen demanding a review of the ministry's rejection of their applications to settle as couples in Denmark.

Having been denied residence in Denmark, many such couples settle in the city of Malmo in Sweden, about half an hour's drive from Copenhagen, as Sweden has less restrictive immigration laws.

The Danish parliament's ombudsman earlier in the summer announced an investigation into whether the Danish Immigration Service had misinformed individuals inquiring about regulations on the settling of foreign spouses in Denmark.

Danish newspapers are further reporting that a Danish common knowledge test for immigrants may also not be in line with EU rules.

In reaction, the Danish minister in charge of immigration, Birthe Ronn Hornbech, has now announced a review of the entire system of immigration in the country.

More: EUobserver

Denmark vs. EU

The restrictive Danish immigration policy has come to the end of the road with the revelations of how the Danish ministry of immigration has handled applications for family reunion.
According to Danish law applicants for family reunion in Denmark must be 24 or older, and they must have a primary attachment to Denmark. The result has been that hundreds of young couples have settled across the bridge in Malmoe Sweden.
Now it has turned out that some of the applicants have cited European law of the common labour market as a reason for permission to stay in Denmark, but this has been turned down by the ministry, in blatant violation of European law. If people have been working for at least two weeks in another EU country they're entitled to stay in Denmark. People have not been informed of these rights, even if they have asked the ministry. The minister in charge, Birte Hornbech, is not available for comments. Nor is the prime minister, Mr. Fogh Rasmussen, who is having summer holiday in Southern France. He refuses to come home for such minor details as families with children being broken up, when husbands or wives are expelled from Denmark.

More: Cosmic Duck