New law enacted for security of immigration service

The government has made amendments to the Private Security Services Act with a provision for conducting security checks on people who enter or are present on the premises of Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

The government submitted a bill on security measures at Migri and the bill amending the Private Security Services Act for approval on August 9 and the president approved the bills on August 10, said an official press release.

The law will enter into force on August 20.

The act will make it possible to inspect people entering the premises of Migri, together with their belongings, in order to ensure that they are not carrying any objects or substances that could endanger the order or security or that could be used to damage property.

By conducting security checks on people who enter the premises it will be possible to protect those working at Migri against various risks, ensure safe working conditions and protect the property of Migri.

The new act on security measures will not apply to people who enter or stay in the accommodation facilities of a state reception centre or registration centre maintained by Migri.

Similar legislation is already in place to secure the operation of parliament, the government and courts.

Migri has been using private security services but the guards have not been authorised to conduct security checks on people who enter the premises. They have only been allowed to conduct security checks in situations that pose a threat. The new legislation will complement the current ways of preparing for security threats.

A police officer, a border guard or a person employed by Migri who is trained for the task can act as a security inspector.

Security checks can also be carried out by a police-approved person who is appropriately trained for the task. In practice, security checks will be outsourced, and they will be conducted by people working in the private security sector.