The Independent — The Danish parliament has approved a controversial law allowing authorities to seize refugees’ cash and valuables, and delay them being reunited with their families.
Martin Henriksen, immigration spokesman for the populist DPP, used the debate to call for an extension of the border controls that have currently been introduced on a temporary basis.
“We are talking about a real exodus,” he said. “We need tighter immigration rules.”
Opponents criticised the legislation for tightening Denmark’s laws and called for a common European solution to the refugee crisis.
“This is a symbolic move to scare people away,” argued Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, of the opposition left Red-Green Alliance.
Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen previously called the proposals the “most misunderstood bill in Denmark’s history” in the wake of international criticism.
The United Nations warned the measures would “fuel fear and xenophobia” but Danish politicians claimed they were “about creating equality between migrants and Danes
Denmark’s original proposals set the threshold at 3,000 kroner (£300) for cash and “tangible assets of considerable value” but it was increased in the wake of international criticism.
The current figure is in line with welfare rules for Danes, who must sell assets worth more than 10,000 kroner (£1,000) before they can receive state benefits.
A spokesperson for the Danish government confirmed that body and luggage searches will be carried out but said asylum seekers will “always be able to keep assets which are necessary to maintain a modest standard of living, e.g. watches and mobile phones”.
Denmark received 21,300 asylum applications last year, one of the highest rates per capita in the EU, and has introduced tougher border controls alongside neighbouring Sweden.
