Action Plan for the Prevention of Irregular Entry and Stay for 2021–2024 — Tackling the Parallel Society

In line with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin’s Government, the Action Plan for the Prevention of Irregular Entry and Stay has been updated for the period 2021–2024. The purpose of the Action Plan is to tackle comprehensively irregular entry and stay, cross-border crime and the emergence of a parallel society outside the Finnish society. The Action Plan also examines the status of those residing in the country without a right of stay, the phenomena of abuse associated with them and the status of human trafficking victims. The Action Plan has taken full account of the measures set out in the previous action plans.

The updated Action Plan includes actions at both strategic and operational levels. In total, there are 52 actions, and they have been divided chronologically into five different themes: actions in the countries of origin and transit, actions at the border, actions in Finland, actions to promote return, and actions concerning those without a right of stay in the country. Measures relating to irregular entry and stay must be both effective and humane at the same time. The pervasive principles of the Action Plan include safeguarding fundamental and human rights and improving the detection of human trafficking and the identification of vulnerable persons.

The project working group prepared the Action Plan between 10 September 2020 and 15 January 2021. In addition to the Migration, Police and Border Guard Departments and the Administration and Development Department at the Ministry of the Interior, representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Finnish Immigration Service and the National Police Board participated in the work of the project working group. During the preparation of the Action Plan, the project working group consulted a wide range of stakeholders. The Action Plan was finalised at political level.