Around 200 residents and asylum seekers in the Danish town of Jelling marched with torches to protest the government’s decision to shut down one of the country’s most integrated and community-supported Danish asylum centers, citing concerns over unjust policy and social fragmentation.
Strong Opposition to Closure of Jelling Asylum Center
On a calm evening in Jelling, a small town in South Jutland, Denmark, around 200 protesters gathered in a torchlight procession to express their frustration and sadness over the impending closure of the town’s Danish asylum center. The demonstration was organized by a mix of concerned residents and asylum center occupants after the Danish Immigration Service announced plans to shut the facility as part of a nationwide cost-reduction strategy. Locals wanted to show support for the people living at the center.
The center has been operating since 1993, originally established to host Bosnian refugees during the Balkan conflicts. Over three decades, it has become deeply rooted in Jelling’s social fabric, with refugees actively involved in local life, schools, and community activities. Critics of the decision say that dismantling such a well-functioning institution demonstrates not just a lack of compassion, but a lack of foresight. A lot of people are concerned that closing the Danish asylum center will change daily life in Jelling.
Integration Model Under Threat
The Danish asylum center has long been viewed as a model of successful integration in Denmark. Key to its success has been its emphasis on community engagement: local volunteers organize weekly activities for asylum seekers, fostering strong bonds between residents and newcomers. Children and teenagers from the center often attend the town’s public school and participate in sports and cultural clubs, making them familiar and welcome faces within the community.
Currently, the Danish asylum center is home to approximately 200 residents, many of whom have developed deep emotional and social ties to the area. The closure means these families and individuals will be relocated to other centers across Denmark—a move many characterize as destabilizing and unfair.
Community Reaction: Concern for People and Values
The decision to close the center has sparked widespread criticism from locals. Residents argue the move is not only economically shortsighted but also morally questionable. Community members have pointed out that the center’s operations are supported by a large base of volunteers, helping to minimize costs while promoting social cohesion. They fear that shuttering the center could lead to more impersonal and less effective refugee support in larger, centralized facilities.
As protesters marched through the streets with torches and handmade banners, the message was consistent: the closure undermines a rare example of successful integration and mutual respect. Locals are also concerned that once a center like Jelling’s is closed, other community-oriented centers could follow, leading to a more fragmented and less humane refugee support system across Denmark.
Nationwide Context and Government Rationale
In recent years, Denmark’s immigration policies have hardened considerably. The current government, led by Social Democrats, has emphasized the need to lower immigration intake and reduce public spending on asylum services. The Danish Immigration Service has justified the closure of several Danish asylum centers, including Jelling’s, by pointing to declining asylum application numbers and the need to consolidate resources.
According to Denmark’s national statistics, the country received just under 3,000 asylum applications in 2023—a significant drop from the more than 21,000 applications recorded in 2015 during the height of the refugee crisis. With fewer newcomers, officials argue there’s less need to maintain widespread infrastructure.
Nevertheless, many Danes argue that numbers alone should not dictate policy. Jelling’s example, they contend, proves that smaller, locally integrated centers can provide more humane and efficient support than large, remote facilities.
Looking Ahead
Despite public backlash, there is currently no indication that the Danish Immigration Service will reverse its decision. Residents in Jelling, however, continue to rally public support, hoping public pressure might force a reconsideration. Advocates are also using the case to call for a broader national debate about the values guiding Denmark’s immigration policies.
While the torches have now dimmed in Jelling, the community’s message remains clear: effective integration matters, and dismantling what works risks losing more than money—it risks unraveling the social trust built painstakingly over decades.
