You probably sit somewhere behind your laptop or smartphone searching the internet for which country to move to. Today, so many like you take whatever risks necessary in pursuit of better opportunities abroad. Maybe it’s not for your own liking or making that you have to flee war, devastating economy and disease. Maybe you’re planning to make Denmark your next home but then sentiments from those already there but kept at the famous Kærshovedgård pours a coldness on your desire.
While we’re in no way qualified to discuss the plight of immigrants or immigration to Scandinavia in general, news of frustrating experiences won’t let us rest. Generally, the Scandinavian countries have over the years allowed only a limited number of immigrants into their territories.
You will read news of Sweden clamping down on immigrants, Denmark tightening its immigration rules, Norway restricting cross border immigration and such. With these hurdles, most people seeking better life have often chosen the dangerous path of irregular immigration including but not limited to a horrific swim or sail across the mediterranean. Some even pay heftily to be smuggled in trucks. Such dangerous irregular immigration sometimes trn tragic as happened in Essex where 39 people died.
Denmark in thecommunity of nations, has its prescribed ways of accepting immigrants. They can be for work, cultural exchange, marriage, studies, research and a few more. These avenues are listed on their immigration websites and New to Denmark which serves as a most updated single source of information about immigration to the country.
Even with these many immigration possibilities, so many people end up not meeting the requirements to begin with or lose their status after a while in the country. Those that do not qualify from the word go resort to pursue the ugly undocumented immigrant pathway while those that lose their status have to find a fresh status or face the disheartening fate of deportation.
While humanitarian demands may favor a situation where countries treat immigrants liberally, the inflow has to be regulated. Danes would shudder if so many immigrants enter the countries and strain their well established and robust social security system. Generally, unrestricted immigration would be a disaster.
The false thinking is that regardless of how someone arrives in Denmark, its a quick way to life. Its not possible for someone can tosimply come to Scandinavia or Denmark to be specific and start off life. People may think that as long as you’re in the country, you automatically qualify for integration. No way. The journey has just began.
The long wait
When you arrive in Denmark as an undocumented immigrant, you have to be processed thoroughly and your nationality determined. When the system recognises your country of origin, a liaison with your home agencies begin. The goal is to find ways of deporting you back home.
In situations where its not possible to determine your nationality, a shelter will be given to you. You will be assigned to an immigrant camp awaiting next steps. Here, you’re not allowed to work and the location of these facilities are far away from populations. In essence, you’re somewhat isolated.
Take your generous time and read more about what it takes to turn from an undocumented immigrant in Denmark. The process may literally take twists and turns running into several years of wait. During this period, your life will have grinded to a halt.
Things you can’t do as an illegal/undocumented immigrant in Denmark
When you think of moving to Denmark, you better ensure that the path followed is a legally recognised one. Check around and pick the best matching ways to move to Denmark. Otherwise, going the undocumented route may turn out to be a dragging one with so many wasted years.
Waiting in the system for a long time for processing of your immigration doesn’t gurantee you will get it. Chances still remain that you may end up in Kærshovedgård. You’ll shudder having waited for 5 or even more only to end up in a deportation camp. But, it never gets realer than that.
Without a known immigration status, you will be put in asylum centers. Here you wait pending your cooperation with the relevant agencies to process you. It’s all up to you to make the process hitch free.
As an illegal immigrant in Denmark, you basically get cut off from the essential public services that legal residents have.
You won’t be able to;
- Open a bank account
- Have a work contract
- Spend nights outside the assigned camp
Assuming you expected to better your life, an illgeal immigration won’t be an easy path. It may take wuite a long time to work in Denmark. Bfore you’re processed and registered into the system, you don’t get permission to work. Unlike many countries where employers take the risk to give jobs to undocumented immigrants, that may not work in Denmark. Employers in Denmark remain judicious and loyal to the employment law requirments. They will on day one ask for a proof that you’re allowed to live and work in Denmark.
Frget about possibilities of black jobs in Denmark. Not so many employers will take you in to work without having the corrrect documentation. It explains why you really need to assess whether the trouble is worth trying.
How immigrants end up in Kærshovedgård
No group of people know Kærshovedgård better than immigrants. In fact at its mention, many get cold shivers down their spine. This is the last place an immigrant would like to be for whatever reasons.
But then what could land someone in Kærshovedgård deportation camp?
- Rejected asylum-seekers
- Foreign national offenders
- Someone classified as “tolerated stay”
A lucky person who get the coveted Schengen visa to move to Denmark must protect it jealously. An offense of the terms set on the visa may lead to deportation. You don’t want to be negligent and self indulging to the extent of being assigned to a departure center.
