Since 2014, more than 90,000 people have returned to their home countries, both voluntarily and by force.

But much more needs to be done to increase the return, says the government, which is now taking a number of measures.

In a first step, the Swedish Migration Agency and the Police Authority have been commissioned to intensify their work.

Among other things, this involves expanding more detention centers, and the police will work actively to search for people who are in the country illegally, including at workplaces.

Many open cases

But aid will also be used to enable more countries to receive their citizens.

- We have very many open cases where we need to be able to return people.

The countries must respect basic principles of international law and start accepting those who have been convicted of crimes, but also voluntary and forced returns, says Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Morgan Johansson (S).

These include countries such as Iraq, Lebanon and Somalia, which receive several hundred million kronor in aid each year.

- We want to increase return, not reduce aid.

But if you do not live up to your obligations, Sweden's interest will cool down, says Minister of Integration and Migration Anders Ygeman (S).

Sida has been commissioned to map the conditions for improving the use of development assistance funds.

The aid should be able to be used as both a carrot and a whip, according to Morgan Johansson.

Different entrances

The work on the return takes place jointly with Minister for Development Aid Matilda Ernkrans (S), who has replaced Per Olsson Fridh (MP) in the post.

Could the proposal have come if the Green Party was still in the picture?

- I do not want to speculate on that, but it is no secret that S and MP had different inputs in the development assistance issue.

Now we have a Social Democratic government so then we can pursue Social Democratic policy, says Morgan Johansson.

Not relevant with compulsory testing

During the pandemic, rejected asylum seekers have been able to stop their own deportation by refusing to be tried for covid-19.

Most recipient countries require a negative pcr test upon entry, and according to Swedish law, the test must be done voluntarily.

In June, the Social Insurance Committee proposed that the police should be empowered to compulsorily test people for covid-19 if it is necessary to enforce an expulsion decision.

S, MP and V then objected to the proposal.