Finland Intensifies Crackdown on Undocumented Migrants Amid Rising Deportations

Finland's Stricter Immigration Stance

Finland's government has significantly intensified its immigration policies, leading to a notable increase in deportations and growing concerns among undocumented migrants. The right-wing government, which took power in 2023, has implemented a series of legislative changes aimed at tightening requirements for asylum, residence permits, family reunification, and citizenship. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen has described this shift as a 'paradigm shift' in the country's immigration approach, emphasizing objectives to better manage immigration, strengthen internal security, and align Finland's policies with those of other Nordic nations.

Surge in Deportations and Policy Changes

Official figures indicate a substantial rise in removals of foreign nationals. Between January and September 2025, approximately 2,070 foreign nationals were deported, marking a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Similarly, in the first half of 2025, over 1,350 foreign nationals were removed, representing a 32% rise from the previous year. Chief Superintendent Janne Lepsu of Finland's National Police Board stated that foreigners' right of residence is now 'investigated more closely,' with efforts made to ensure individuals without legal residency leave Finland or the Schengen area.

Key policy changes include:

• As of 2024, undocumented migrants are no longer able to apply for work permits from within Finland; applications must be made from their home countries.
• The residency period required for Finnish citizenship has been extended from five to eight years, with this amendment taking effect on October 1, 2024.
• Asylum applicants are now prohibited from switching to work-based or education-based residence permit applications, a change that came into force on September 1, 2024.

Concerns Over Migrant Welfare and Healthcare Access

The intensified crackdown has raised significant concerns among undocumented migrants, many of whom fear deportation to potentially dangerous situations in their home countries. Estimates suggest that between 3,500 and 5,000 undocumented individuals reside in Finland. Organizations like 'Toivon talo' (House of Hope) in Helsinki, which provides legal, social, and medical assistance to undocumented non-European migrants, have reported an increase in individuals seeking help due to fears of deportation. Project manager Anne Hammad noted a rise in people at the center since the government began tightening its immigration policy.

A particularly contentious proposal by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government aims to restrict healthcare access for most undocumented adults to only urgent care, overturning a 2023 law that allowed for necessary care, including treatment for chronic diseases. This proposal has drawn strong criticism from medical associations and human rights organizations, who argue it breaches international human rights obligations and could lead to increased suffering and higher emergency care costs in the long run. Critics, including researcher Erna Bodstrom from the Migration Institute of Finland, suggest that the previous possibility for immigrants to build a secure life in Finland 'is not the case anymore.'

Border Security and Future Outlook

The government's focus on immigration control also extends to border security. In November 2023, Finland observed an increased number of undocumented migrants at its border with Russia, with Russian authorities reportedly allowing them to proceed despite a lack of proper documentation. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen characterized this as 'illegal entry' and indicated that the government was considering measures such as limiting border crossings or even border closures to address the situation. The ongoing legislative reforms and their enforcement underscore a firm commitment by the Finnish government to its new, stricter immigration framework.