World Immigration News

The country where the left (not the far right) made hardline immigration laws

Release Date: 2025-06-06
Media: BBC
Summary: Denmark, often seen as a liberal and progressive country, has become a European leader in restrictive immigration policies. Surprisingly, these policies are driven not by the far-right but by the center-left Social Democrats under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Since the 2015 refugee crisis, Denmark has dramatically tightened its asylum rules—confiscating asylum seekers’ valuables, limiting family reunification, and pushing for asylum processing outside Europe, such as in Rwanda.

These measures reflect a political shift aimed at protecting Denmark’s generous welfare system and maintaining social cohesion. Frederiksen argues that high immigration levels strain public services and harm low-income Danes. Her approach blends traditionally left-wing priorities (public welfare) with right-wing migration policies, a trend increasingly seen across Europe.

While Denmark has seen a sharp drop in asylum applications, critics argue that its policies harm its international reputation and marginalize immigrants and their children. Laws targeting "non-Western" communities—like the "parallel societies" law allowing demolition of buildings in immigrant-heavy areas—have been labeled discriminatory.

Overall, Denmark's case shows how mainstream parties are adopting stricter migration stances to maintain power, raising questions about the balance between national interests and humanitarian obligations.
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