Posters Pop Up in Norway to Motivate More Migrants to Leave Voluntarily

Local Editor

Since more asylum-seekers remain in Norway after receiving an official rejection, Norwegian immigration authorities launched a poster campaign to encourage more foreigners without legal residency documentation to leave the country voluntarily. Consenters are to be treated to a cash bonus.

Around 700 placards in seven of the country's most widely-spoken foreign languages [including English] are to be deployed at road junctions in 31 Norwegian municipalities within two weeks.

The posters explain which rights the asylum-seekers are about to lose upon refusing, thus motivating the migrants to choose assisted return over deportation. Currently, Norway is considering denying up to half of the asylum applications received last year.

So far this year, more than 1,100 people traveled from Norway with assisted return. The returnees get their home journey covered together with aid to re-establish themselves in their respective home countries.

Immigrants who choose to return voluntarily by the end of the deadline will receive a "farewell" bonus of 20,000 NOK [roughly $2,000].

Those who decide to stay despite the refusal forfeit all the bonuses and run the risk of being deported by the police and immigration authorities.

Of the 31,000 asylum seekers arriving in Norway last year, about half are to be returned.

Of those who applied for asylum in Norway last year, Syrians, Afghanis and Eritreans were the largest groups.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team