95 deported in 2018 due to crime offences

Last year, the Finnish Immigration Service issued deportation decisions to 173 persons who were found guilty of criminal offences,said the Finnish Immigration Service in a press release.

Out of these persons, 95 were deported, which was over half of the persons who received a deportation decision on these grounds. Deportation means that a foreign national, who either holds or has held a residence permit, is removed from the country. Among those who received a deportation decision, Iraqis were the largest group.

A foreign national may be deported, if he or she is found guilty of an offence carrying a maximum sentence of imprisonment for a year or more, or if he or she is found guilty of repeated offences. These decisions are always based on an overall assessment and take into account factors such as the seriousness of the crime, the person’s ties to Finland and his or her health.

In recent years, the number of deportation decisions issued because of criminal offences has remained approximately the same. For instance in 2017, the agency issued a deportation decision to 100 persons.

Last year, the total number of persons who received a deportation decision was 1,092. Out of these decisions, 997 decisions were related to unauthorised residence in the country.

When a deportation decision has been issued, the police are responsible for removing the person from the country.