Finland May Require Illegal Immigrants To Wear Electronic Ankle Monitors

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UNDATED ó†Brothers Keepers, with the late Gavin Grewal, second from the left. (Kim Bolan story) [PNG Merlin Archive] ORG XMIT: POS1801261045221268 [PNG Merlin Archive]

The Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat reported that several thousands of immigrants whose applications for political asylum have been rejected continue to defy deportation rulings in Finland. 

The government is now working to pass a bill that would impose the mandatory electronic ankle bracelets on illegal immigrants.

Issuance of Electronic ankle monitors – known in Scandinavia as “electronic fetters” – to immigrants is a cheaper alternative to physical detention.

The Aliens Act requires several conditions for the detention of illegal immigrants. These conditions include the possibility of escape, suspicion of crime or a threat to national security. 

With the ankle monitors, the Finnish authorities would be able to monitor the illegals better. 

However, Finnish administration is still mulling on whether children and minors will be included in the order.

If the bill is passed, all asylum seekers would be required to wear electronic ankle monitors especially immigrants with denied applications.  Imprisonment would be reserved for individuals who will be deemed threats to national security.

Data released earlier this year showed that the number of paperless migrants in Finland who have opted to remain in the country without a legal residence permit or despite being rejected, rose to 8,000, up from the previous 4,000.

Researchers believe that the numbers grew because government, municipalities, police and responsible agencies failed to carry out deportation decisions. 

Finland’s major parties –the Social Democrats and the Centre Party, pushed for the digital footwear bill while the junior parties – the Greens, the Left Alliance and the Swedish People’s Party had to accept the notion.

Administration remains divided on immigration. While the major parties support strict refugee policy, the junior parties aim to increase the existing migrant quota of 750.

Although it is possible for the future government to raise the quota, analysts believe that it wouldn’t be as high as the junior parties’ target.

The Social Democrats’ leader Antti Rinne, who leads the government talks for the Social Democrats and aspires to become Finland’s next prime minister has pledged to take immediate action.

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