All candidates in Denmark’s Vestjyllands Storkreds agree that Udrejsecenter Kærshovedgård is not working, but they sharply disagree on the solution. Proposals range from relocating the center abroad to installing GPS ankle monitors, while a recent legislative push to lock down the facility failed in the Folketing.
Growing Frustration Over Deportation Center
The debate over Udrejsecenter Kærshovedgård has become a central issue in the 2026 Folketing election campaign, particularly in Vestjyllands Storkreds where the facility is located. The center houses foreign nationals convicted of crimes who are awaiting deportation but cannot or will not leave Denmark. Local residents report increasing insecurity, with incidents including late night intrusions and buried items on private property.
Record Low Deportations Amid Safety Concerns
Despite 2024 seeing a record low number of rejected asylum seekers in deportation position nationwide, a core group at Kærshovedgård refuses to leave Denmark. The center near Bording houses individuals convicted of serious crimes including rape, gang activity, murder, and terrorism. Local testimonies to politicians describe children too afraid to play outside, highlighting the tension between deportation policy and community safety.
The government has responded with measures including additional surveillance cameras, 24/7 police presence, and protective installations at local homes. However, the Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeren acknowledged in February 2025 that more action is needed to address local frustrations.
Failed Lockdown Proposal Highlights Political Divide
A proposal to lock Udrejsecenter Kærshovedgård, preventing residents from freely leaving the premises, was rejected by the Folketing on 13 March 2025. The proposal aimed to ensure convicted foreigners actually leave Denmark and reduce crime risks in surrounding communities. However, it failed to gain support from parties beyond Dansk Folkeparti, which has led the charge for stricter controls.
Candidates Propose Competing Solutions
Seven out of 11 candidates interviewed by DR Nyheder favor relocating the deportation center abroad as their ideal solution. However, all acknowledge this represents a long term goal rather than an immediate fix. The issue gained renewed attention after Folketingets formand Søren Gade from Venstre proposed moving all residents to Livø island in Limfjorden. None of the other candidates support this idea.
Overseas Relocation Faces Long Timeline
Mogens Jensen from Socialdemokratiet acknowledged that establishing a center outside EU borders would be optimal but has lengthy prospects. This reflects broader challenges in Danish immigration policy, where ambitious goals often clash with legal and diplomatic realities. The push for overseas facilities mirrors debates about immigration to Denmark more broadly, where stricter enforcement measures face implementation gaps.
Morten E.G. Brautsch from Moderaterne dismissed the Livø proposal as simply moving the problem from one location to another. This criticism applies equally to other relocation schemes that have failed over the years.
GPS Ankle Monitors Gain Cross Party Support
Five candidates mentioned GPS ankle monitors as a potential solution, though for different reasons. Betina Kastbjerg from Danmarksdemokraterne cited firsthand observations of deportation convicted individuals in Herning nightlife after the 23:00 curfew when they should be at the center. She advocates ankle monitors until residents cooperate with their own deportation.
In contrast, Lisbeth Torfing from Enhedslisten sees GPS technology as enabling more normal lives. She argues it would allow residents to live with families and contribute to society while authorities always know their location. Johan Brødsgaard from Radikale Venstre takes a similar position, suggesting ankle monitors for those convicted of crimes while others could be distributed across asylum centers nationwide to prevent radicalization.
Historical Context Shapes Current Impasse
Udrejsecenter Kærshovedgård was established between 2015 and 2019 under a government supported by Dansk Folkeparti. The remote location away from Copenhagen was deliberately chosen at the time. However, the center’s isolation has contributed to current problems rather than solving them.
Previous Relocation Attempts Failed
A 2021 government plan to relocate 130 residents to a new center on Langeland collapsed due to lack of political support. Interestingly, opposition to that move included some of the same parties now criticizing the current arrangement. The Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeren noted in parliamentary exchanges that DF had previously supported keeping the center at its current location.
This history explains why new relocation proposals face skepticism. The Folketing did pass a resolution in 2025 mandating the government to offer Kærshovedgård residents relocation to another facility, but specifics on implementation remain unclear and no confirmed relocations have occurred.
Lockdown Debate Divides Politicians
Dansk Folkeparti has marketed the message that the solution is not moving people around the country but locking them in. Søren Boel Olesen from DF stated this position clearly. However, Dina Raabjerg from Det Konservative Folkeparti rejected this approach as unrealistic, calling it a shouting competition despite sharing similar feelings about the problem.
The rejected lockdown proposal aimed to ensure convicted foreigners awaiting deportation would actually leave Denmark. However, legal concerns about restricting movement of people not currently imprisoned prevented broader support. This reflects tensions between local safety priorities and legal rights that persist across Danish immigration debates.
Local Impact Drives Election Focus
Ikast-Brande municipality, where Kærshovedgård is located, has become one of Denmark’s areas with highest reported insecurity according to local claims. Residents’ freedom to leave the center and roam surrounding communities exacerbates tensions. Politicians visiting the area hear consistent complaints about the breakdown of normal community life.
Competing Visions for Temporary Measures
With overseas relocation unlikely in the near term, candidates propose various interim solutions. These range from increased security measures already implemented by the government to more controversial restrictions on movement. The challenge is balancing effective deportation enforcement with legal obligations and human rights considerations.
The diversity of proposals reflects deeper disagreements about immigration policy and integration in Denmark. Some prioritize removing problematic individuals from Danish soil entirely, while others focus on better management of those who cannot immediately be deported. These competing visions will likely shape coalition negotiations after the election.
Election Stakes for Immigration Policy
The Kærshovedgård debate represents broader questions about how Denmark handles rejected asylum seekers and criminal foreigners. The center’s problems illustrate implementation challenges that plague even strict immigration policies. Voters in Vestjyllands Storkreds face clear choices between parties offering fundamentally different approaches, from lockdown to liberalization with GPS monitoring.
As the election approaches, all candidates agree the current situation is unsustainable. However, their proposed solutions range so widely that forming a governing coalition with consistent immigration policy may prove difficult. The center that was supposed to facilitate orderly deportations has instead become a symbol of policy failure that all sides can criticize but none can easily fix.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How to Immigrate to Denmark
The Danish Dream: Everything Need Know Family Reunification in Denmark
The Danish Dream: Denmark Proposes New Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants
The Danish Dream: Immigration and Labour Law in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Alle kandidaterne er enige udrejsecenter Kærshovedgård fungerer ikke
Folketinget: Official Parliamentary Records
Retsinformation: Danish Legal Information
Avisen Danmark: Danish News Coverage
