Denmark’s government is reviewing new rules at deportation centers that could end external overnight stays and further tighten daily check-in requirements for rejected asylum seekers and foreign nationals facing deportation.
Government Seeks to Tighten Deportation Center Rules
Starting January 1, rejected asylum seekers and foreign nationals under deportation orders in Denmark have been required to report daily to officials at one of the country’s three deportation centers. These are Kærshovedgård in Jutland, Sjælsmark in North Zealand, and Avnstrup in Central Zealand.
Until recently, residents only had to check in three times a week. The new measure, introduced by a broad majority in Parliament, aimed to monitor residents more closely. But only weeks after the rule took effect, officials are already considering even tougher restrictions.
The Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, said he is now exploring whether to remove residents’ permission to spend up to four nights per month outside the centers. That permission allowed limited overnight stays with relatives or partners, often seen as a rare opportunity to maintain family contact. The minister had initially believed exceptions were granted only in extraordinary cases, such as serious illness or medical emergencies.
According to the Ministry, the proposal could close this option entirely, meaning every resident would need to remain on site every night, regardless of personal circumstances.
Concerns Over Impact on Families
For families and partners of those housed at deportation centers, the stricter rules would make visits even harder. Kærshovedgård, for example, is located seven kilometers from the nearest town without direct bus connections. For residents whose loved ones live across Denmark, travel to and from the center can take several hours each way, leaving very little time for actual visits.
One resident originally from Myanmar, living at the center for two years after serving a sentence for violence, explained that travel times already make family contact nearly impossible. His wife, who lives hours away, can only see him for a brief two-hour window before he must return to meet his nightly residence obligation.
Political Debate Intensifies
The discussion has quickly become a political issue. The Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti) has already indicated support for removing external overnight permissions “as soon as possible.” The party argues that it is inconsistent to tighten daily obligations while still allowing limited leave from the centers.
While some parties focus on public safety, others highlight human rights implications. The Danish Institute for Human Rights previously warned that the daily reporting requirement could violate Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee freedom from degrading treatment and protect family life. The institute’s earlier response to the law advised that Denmark review the potential risks before implementing such measures further.
Legal Experts Warn of Human Rights Issues
Legal experts specializing in immigration law have also voiced concern. Attorney Jesper Lyngby Andersen noted that tightening restrictions on people who have already served their sentences, or those who have not committed crimes at all, risks crossing ethical and legal boundaries. Removing overnight stays could amount to punishment without a new crime.
He stressed that for many at these centers, including rejected asylum seekers, deportation is not immediately possible due to conditions in their home countries. Because of that, they can effectively remain in limbo for years with limited freedom and family contact.
For information about how to immigrate to Denmark, the broader context of Denmark’s immigration policies plays a critical role in understanding the growing scrutiny around such regulations.
Government Confidence in Legal Standing
Despite criticism, both the Ministry and the Danish People’s Party remain confident that further tightening will comply with the European Convention. According to them, public safety and maintaining control of deportation procedures outweigh the temporary family disruptions caused by the reform.
The Ministry has not yet presented a final proposal, and the Repatriation Agency (Hjemrejsestyrelsen) has not released figures showing how many external overnight permissions were granted in recent months.
Those waiting for clarity include residents across all three centers. Kærshovedgård houses mostly single men, Avnstrup accommodates families and women, while Sjælsmark hosts single foreigners and couples without children, many under EU “Dublin” return cases.
For now, daily check-ins remain mandatory, but any further restrictions could leave affected families with almost no way to see each other. As Denmark continues to shape its stance on immigration control, the debate over the balance between security and human rights remains far from settled.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How to Immigrate to Denmark
The Danish Dream: Best Immigration Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Helt nye udlændingestramninger skal strammes endnu mere
