Government to ban foreign criminals

Crimes earning sentences of between five and ten years would be cause for denial

Michael Sandelson
The Foreigner

“The government proposes refusing entry to people who have committed serious criminal offenses abroad. This means that multiple criminal acts may form the basis for rejection [of entry], regardless of when they were committed,” Progress’s (FrP) Justice Minister Anders Anundsen said in a statement, Friday, Dec. 5.

Several extremely grave offenses that would attract five to ten-year jail terms do not qualify for consideration for entry or residency refusal under current legislation. These include forced marriage, human trafficking, mutilation of female genitals, and inciting acts of terrorism. The government says it proposes amending the Immigration Act to take account of this.

“Foreigners previously penalized abroad, or on whom sanctions have been imposed for an offense that could lead to five or more years in prison under Norwegian legislation, should be eligible for consideration for [entry] rejection. [This is] independently of how far back in time the act lies,” concluded the Minister.

According to him, the proposal is anchored in the four-Party agreement between the Rightist coalition—comprising the Conservatives (H) and Progress (FrP)—and the Christian Democrats (KrF) and Liberals (V).It also comes due to Center-Right consensus on immigration policy points.

This article was originally published on The Foreigner. To subscribe to The Foreigner, visit theforeigner.no.

It also appeared in the Dec. 19, 2014, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (800) 305-0271.