Ayla, 21, Jomana, 18, and Ilya, 19, all came to Sweden as children under different circumstances, but now face deportation while their families remain in the country. Their cases highlight Sweden’s restrictive migration policy, which denies residency based on parental ties once young people turn 18, unless “special dependency” is proven. Normal parent-child relationships no longer guarantee protection.
Despite cross-party recognition that such deportations separate families, a February 2025 parliamentary proposal to stop them failed to gain a majority. Jomana, who arrived at age 4, faces deportation to Egypt, while Ayla and Ilya, who arrived at 15 and 8 respectively, risk being sent to Iran. Many children like them grow up in Sweden on temporary permits, and strict rules on family reunification, income requirements, and humanitarian protection mean they “age out” at 18 and lose their right to remain.
These practices conflict with Sweden’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which require prioritizing the best interests of children and protecting family life. Amnesty International and child rights advocates call on Sweden to halt deportations that separate young people from their families, process cases promptly, and provide clear pathways to permanent residency that recognize the years spent in the country and community ties.
