Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

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DENMARK
The same provision applies to: any person, who intentionally assists an alien in entering Denmark
for the purpose of illegally entering from another country, or who intentionally assists an
alien in entering illegally or transiting illegally through another country, or assists, on remuneration,
an alien in staying illegally in another country.
The employment of migrants who do not hold a valid working permit may attract a fine or a
prison sentence for up to one year.
Incentives to Voluntary Departure
Under Section 42 a) (7), the Aliens Act provides a tool to encourage uncooperative asylum seekers
to cooperate with the Danish authorities. This provision has been included in the amendment of
1998, Law No. 437 of 1 July.
According to this regulation, there is considerable leeway to compel foreigners to cooperate by
depriving them of the usual monthly allowance and reducing food delivery. Lodging and health
services are hereby not affected.
These measures, however, are applied only in a limited way and only for asylum seekers who do
not cooperate in the procurement of relevant travel documents.
Under the new amendment to the Aliens Act Law No. 291, rejectees may be granted a one-time
financial incentive amounting to around EUR 400 if they show to be cooperative in the removal
procedure.
1.3 ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS
Institutions Responsible for Involuntary Return
The Danish police are responsible for implementing both voluntary and involuntary return of
asylum seekers. The police offer support for rejectees who do not have their own means to
return, and deal with those who prove to be uncooperative in the removal process.
Escorts are coordinated by a special unit of the Danish National Commissioner of Police.
Operational Steps for Involuntary Return
Rejected asylum seekers subject to removal have to leave Denmark immediately. However, this
order to leave immediately is not enforced in the strict sense of the time limit immediately set.
Arrangements for voluntary departure, where asylum seekers do not avail of their own means to
pay for the return, are under the responsibility of the Danish police, who enforce the removal at
their own discretion. There is a certain leeway in the enforcement of the removal process and
voluntary return in regard to the order of immediate departure.
Forced removals are implemented on commercial flights. Chartered flights have been used only
on very few occasions in the past.