Editing Sweden Democrats (section)

=== National identity and culture ===
The Sweden Democrats value a strong common national and [[cultural identity]], believing these to be the most basic cornerstones of a functioning democracy and successful society. Minimizing linguistic, cultural and religious differences in society and emphasizing a defined sense of Swedish cultural values and social norms has a positive effect on [[Social cohesion|societal cohesion]], maintaining a welfare state and encouraging solidarity among the population, according to the party. On its platform, SD states the Swedish nation is defined "in terms of loyalty, a common language and common culture". A requirement for becoming a member of the Swedish nation is to either "be born in it or by actively choosing to be a part of it". For these reasons among others, SD{{nbsp}}firmly rejects [[multiculturalism]] and argues that Sweden should preserve its cultural heritage by assimilating newcomers and maintaining Swedish as the nation's official language.<ref name=":2" />

Until the 2000s, the SD attached [[Ethnopluralism|ethnopluralist]] arguments to its defense of a Swedish homeland and culture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:710302/FULLTEXT01.pdf |title=We are Sweden Democrats because we care for others: Exploring racisms in the Swedish extreme right |access-date=2024-02-02}}</ref> The 2005 party handbook called for a "high degree of ethnic and cultural similarity among the population"<ref name="auto13"/> while the old party platform described the need to preserve the "inherited essence" of ethnic Swedes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/12/jimmie-akesson-who-is-the-leader-of-the-far-right-sweden-democrats |title=Jimmie Åkesson: who is the leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats? |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=2024-07-17 |last1=Crouch |first1=David }}</ref> However, the SD's official platform since 2018 no longer refers to a Swedish nation and people in an ethnically defined context, but adopts a more moderate [[Cultural conservatism|cultural conservative]] policy promoting a shared national identity in which foreign-born people can become Swedish through stricter assimilation policies in exchange for citizenship and by the state asserting a more defined concept of Swedish culture and social values.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/in-sweden-populist-nationalists-won-on-policy-but-lost-on-politics/569968/|title=In Sweden, Populist Nationalists Won on Policy, but Lost on Politics|first=Benjamin R.|last=Teitelbaum|date=12 September 2018|website=The Atlantic|access-date=12 September 2018|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124100233/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/in-sweden-populist-nationalists-won-on-policy-but-lost-on-politics/569968/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dw.com">{{cite news |last1=Orange |first1=Richard |title=Sweden Democrats can't shake neo-Nazi tag |url=https://www.dw.com/en/neo-nazi-background-hounds-sweden-democrats/a-45344978 |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle|DW]] |date=9 August 2019 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620213917/https://www.dw.com/en/neo-nazi-background-hounds-sweden-democrats/a-45344978 |url-status=live }}</ref> The SD argues that not having a defined sense of what it means to be Swedish makes it harder for those of non-Western cultures to understand and become part of Swedish society. SD representatives have expressed that lacking a defined Swedish cultural identity and society will leave Sweden vulnerable to takeovers by more defined but aggressive cultures and social attitudes, with members of the party citing Islamic culture as an example. The SD has cited a strong work ethic, respect for nature, speaking Swedish and equality between the sexes as important parts of Swedish cultural values that the country should strive to maintain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-rise-of-sweden-democrats-and-the-end-of-swedish-exceptionalism/ |title=The Rise of Sweden Democrats: Islam, Populism and the End of Swedish Exceptionalism |access-date=2025-03-22}}</ref>

In a 2014 interview for ''[[Dagens Nyheter]]'', Second Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag and then-party secretary [[Björn Söder]] elaborated on the SD{{nbsp}}party programme with respect to its views on national identity and obtaining Swedish citizenship by saying that although an immigrant of any ethnic background in theory can become a Swedish citizen, they would have to adapt and be [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] in order to be considered Swedish in the cultural sense, since the SD does not view a simple acquisition of Swedish citizenship with no assimilation requirements as the same as becoming part of Swedish society.<ref name="Den leende nationalismen">{{cite news |date=14 December 2014 |title=Den leende nationalismen |url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/den-leende-nationalismen/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045119/https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/den-leende-nationalismen/ |archive-date=2017-03-08 |access-date=27 December 2014 |work=Dagens Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=23 April 2014 |title=Sverigedemokraternas Principprogram 2011 |url=https://sverigedemokraterna.se/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/principprogrammet2014_webb.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214930/https://sverigedemokraterna.se/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/principprogrammet2014_webb.pdf |archive-date=2014-06-06 |access-date=1 January 2015 |publisher=The Sweden Democrats |page=15 |language=sv}}</ref> In the interview, Söder stated that the officially recognised Swedish minority peoples such as [[Sámi peoples|Sámi]], [[Tornedalians]] and [[History of the Jews in Sweden|Jews]]) in many cases had dual cultural identities and that they probably would be proud of both heritages, and claimed that while these minorities are part of Sweden today, they had to give up part of their own culture in the past to become culturally Swedish.<ref name="Den leende nationalismen" /> It was widely interpreted that Söder had stated in the interview that Jews cannot be Swedish unless they abandon their Jewish identity.<ref>{{cite web|author=David Crouch|title=Swedish far-right leader: Jews must abandon religious identity to be Swedes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/swedish-far-right-leader-jews-swedes|access-date=24 February 2015|work=the Guardian|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223104117/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/swedish-far-right-leader-jews-swedes|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=18 December 2014|title=Far-right Swedish leader: Jews have dual identities and can therefor not be truly Swedish, but that it wouldn't necessarily be a negative thing|url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.632496|access-date=24 February 2015|work=[[Haaretz.com]]|archive-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310181559/http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.632496|url-status=live}}</ref> Söder's comments were accused of being antisemitic and caused Swedish parliamentary groups and party leaders to call for Björn Söder's resignation.<ref>{{cite news|date=15 December 2014|title=Partiernas krav på Björn Söder: Avgå som talman|newspaper=Dagens Nyheter|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/partiernas-krav-pa-bjorn-soder-avga-som-talman/|access-date=27 December 2014|publisher=[[Dagens Nyheter]]|language=sv|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416023755/http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/partiernas-krav-pa-bjorn-soder-avga-som-talman/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] listed the statement as number six on their list of the top ten most anti-semitic events of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=2014 Top Ten Worst Global Anti-Semitic/Anti-Israel Incidents|url=http://www.wiesenthal.com/atf/cf/%7B54d385e6-f1b9-4e9f-8e94-890c3e6dd277%7D/TOP-TEN_2014_FINAL-12-31.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020121332/http://www.wiesenthal.com/atf/cf/%7B54d385e6-f1b9-4e9f-8e94-890c3e6dd277%7D/TOP-TEN_2014_FINAL-12-31.PDF|archive-date=20 October 2017|access-date=6 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Söders uttalande bland de tio värsta under 2014|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/soders-uttalande-bland-de-tio-varsta-under-2014/|access-date=24 February 2015|work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]|date=6 January 2015|archive-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113072641/http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/soders-uttalande-bland-de-tio-varsta-under-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Söder sexa bland antijudiska händelser|url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/soder-sexa-bland-antijudiska-handelser/|access-date=20 June 2015|work=Expressen|date=6 January 2015|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704050923/http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/soder-sexa-bland-antijudiska-handelser/|url-status=live}}</ref> Söder responded in ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', denying the charges of anti-semitism and claiming ''Dagens Nyheter'' had taken his statements out of context. In response, the SD also stated that it rejects antisemitism in Sweden and supports Israel in foreign policy, and that its proposed assimilation model is based on recognizing the difference between the concept of nationhood and acquired citizenship as opposed to implying minorities have split loyalties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sweden Democrats reject anti-Semitism|url=http://www.jpost.com/landedpages/printarticle.aspx?id=386751|access-date=4 November 2015|work=[[Jpost.com]]|archive-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109091817/http://www.jpost.com/landedpages/printarticle.aspx?id=386751|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Sweden Democrats advocates a cultural policy that would strip government funding for multicultural initiatives and strengthen support for traditional Swedish culture. This agenda has often manifested itself as opposition to state funding of immigrant cultural organisations and festivals, and more support for traditional Swedish craft, folk music, and folk dance groups. The party also tends to oppose state support for cultural initiatives deemed provocative or elitist.<ref name="Teitelbaum 2013">{{Cite thesis |last=Teitelbaum |first=Benjamin R. |title='Come Hear Our Merry Song': Shifts in the Sound of Contemporary Swedish Radical Nationalism |date=2013 |access-date=30 August 2024 |degree=PhD |publisher=[[Brown University]] |url=https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:320631/ |pages=242–265 |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830192236/https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:320631/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2014 letter signed by 52{{nbsp}}Swedish anthropologists, criticised the Sweden Democrats' use of the terms "culture" (''kultur'' {{IPA|sv|kɵlˈtʉːr||Sv-Kultur.ogg}}) and "anthropology" (''antropologi'' {{IPA|sv|antrɔpʊlʊˈɡiː||Sv-Antropologi.ogg}}), claiming their views on culture were "[[Gender essentialism|essentialist]] and obsolete", clarifying that culture is "dynamic" and "in constant change".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garsten |first1=Christina |last2=Nilsson |first2=Erik |last3=Finnström |first3=Sverker |last4=Höjdestrand |first4=Tove |date=18 December 2014 |title=Sverigedemokraterna misstolkar begreppet kultur |trans-title=The Sweden Democrats misunderstands the concept of culture |url=http://www.svt.se/opinion/sverigedemokraterna-misstolkar-begreppet-kultur |publisher=[[Sveriges Television]] |language=sv |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=25 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013740/http://www.svt.se/opinion/sverigedemokraterna-misstolkar-begreppet-kultur |url-status=live }}</ref> The Sweden Democrats themselves maintain that traditional elements of Sweden's culture should not be rendered obsolete in favour of multiculturalism and argue Swedish cultural values contributed to the nation's economic and social successes through the "people's home" (''[[Folkhemmet]]'') concept. According to scholar Bo Nilsson, the party links the adoption of multicultural policies with a subsequent decline in the ''Folkhemmet'' model and Sweden's success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13527258.2022.2042718#d1e340 |title=An ideology-critical examination of the cultural heritage policies of the Sweden Democrats |access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref>

The Sweden Democrats also criticise modern art and have accused local councils of wasting public money on what it calls "provocative" art.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/11/26/how-long-will-swedens-nationalists-be-excluded-from-power|title=How long will Sweden's nationalists be excluded from power?|date=26 November 2020|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226125458/https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/11/26/how-long-will-swedens-nationalists-be-excluded-from-power|url-status=live}}</ref> The SD want citizens to be able to vote in local referendums on public art displayed near schools, public transport stations and town centres. "The important thing is that what is expressed in the public environment is anchored to the citizens and especially the local residents who are most often in the environment so that they feel an identification", says the party's cultural spokesperson [[Aron Emilsson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverigedemokraterna-vill-byta-ut-konsten-i-slussens-tunnelbana|title=Sverigedemokraterna vill byta ut konsten i Slussens tunnelbana|date=23 August 2018|newspaper=SVT Nyheter|access-date=7 December 2018|last1=Elliott|first1=Katia|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232429/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverigedemokraterna-vill-byta-ut-konsten-i-slussens-tunnelbana|url-status=live}}</ref> Sweden Democrats mayor in [[Sölvesborg]] [[Louise Erixon]] claimed "There's a big division between what the general public thinks is beautiful and interesting and what a tiny cultural elite thinks is exciting".<ref>{{cite web |last=Orange |first=Richard |date=2019-10-29 |title=Swedish town bans 'provocative' art |url=https://www.dw.com/en/swedish-far-right-town-bans-provocative-public-art/a-51037702 |access-date=30 August 2024 |website=[[Deutsche Welle|DW]] |archive-date=1 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401020852/https://www.dw.com/en/swedish-far-right-town-bans-provocative-public-art/a-51037702 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Sweden Democrats also support a ban on the [[burqa]] and [[niqāb]] in public places and are against proposals to publicly broadcast the Islamic call to prayer from minarets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/sweden-allows-call-to-prayer-from-stockholm-minaret-41669|title=Sweden allows call to prayer from Stockholm minaret – World News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=22 February 2013|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509025240/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/sweden-allows-call-to-prayer-from-stockholm-minaret-41669|url-status=live}}</ref> The SD wants tougher enforcement of existing laws against [[female genital mutilation]], honor violence and social segregation. The party also wants Swedish to remain Sweden's main official language in state funded schools, government agencies and public funded media, and for more teaching of Swedish cultural history in schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://samtiden.nu/2018/06/efter-danmark-och-norge-sd-valkomnar-burkaforbud/|title=Efter Danmark och Norge: SD välkomnar burkaförbud|date=7 June 2018|website=Samtiden.nu|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-date=30 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035403/https://samtiden.nu/2018/06/efter-danmark-och-norge-sd-valkomnar-burkaforbud/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also supports prohibiting the [[hijab]] in primary schools, arguing that while it is not opposed to hijabs in general, the choice to wear it should be made on an individual basis when a child reaches adulthood.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thelocal.se/20190613/swedish-council-bans-staff-from-praying-at-work-sweden-democrats-bromolla-skane| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190613095429/https://www.thelocal.se/20190613/swedish-council-bans-staff-from-praying-at-work-sweden-democrats-bromolla-skane| archive-date = 13 June 2019| title = Sweden Democrat council bans staff from praying at work – The Local}}</ref> The SD is strongly opposed to [[Sharia|sharia law]] being incorporated into the Swedish legal system.<ref name="brookings">{{cite web |author=Tomson |first=Danielle Lee |date=25 March 2020 |title=The Rise of Sweden Democrats: Islam, Populism and the End of Swedish Exceptionalism |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-rise-of-sweden-democrats-and-the-end-of-swedish-exceptionalism/ |access-date=20 November 2021 |publisher=Brookings.edu |archive-date=27 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327042822/https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-rise-of-sweden-democrats-and-the-end-of-swedish-exceptionalism/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Leading party representatives have also spoken out in various contexts against mosques and Islamic centres in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hd.se/landskrona/2009/07/31/riskerar-uteslutning-fraan/ |title=Riskerar uteslutning från Sverigedemokraterna |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806120323/http://hd.se/landskrona/2009/07/31/riskerar-uteslutning-fraan/ |access-date=31 January 2024|archive-date=6 August 2011 }}</ref> In 2023, SD leader [[Jimmie Åkesson]] argued that Swedish mosques which preach "anti-democratic, anti-Swedish, homophobic, anti-Semitic propaganda" should be closed and demolished and expressed opposition to the construction of new Islamic buildings. SD has also argued that other Swedish parties, particularly those on the left such as the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party|Social Democrats]] are tolerant of Islamist activities in Sweden to secure votes at the expense of Swedish culture and security.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20231127/sweden-democrat-leader-calls-for-mosques-to-be-demolished |title=Sweden Democrat leader calls for mosques to be demolished |date=27 November 2023 |access-date=2025-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/11/27/swedens-prime-minister-condemns-far-right-call-to-demolish-mosques |title=Sweden's prime minister condemns far-right call to demolish mosques |date=27 November 2023 |access-date=2025-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/swedish-pm-ulf-kristersson-slams-far-right-party-leader-for-suggesting-mosques-should-be-demolished/ |website=[[Politico]] |first=Claudia |last=Chiappa |title=Swedish PM rebukes far-right leader who said mosques should be flattened |date=27 November 2023 |access-date=2024-08-11 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223144305/https://www.politico.eu/article/swedish-pm-ulf-kristersson-slams-far-right-party-leader-for-suggesting-mosques-should-be-demolished/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="brookings" /> In January 2024, [[Richard Jomshof]], chairman of the Justice Committee in the Riksdag, ignited controversy in Sweden by proposing the prohibition of the Islamic [[star and crescent]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Adrian |last=Ericson |date=2024-01-22 |title=Jomshof: Förbjud halvmånar likt hakkors |trans-title=Jomshof: Ban crescents like swasticas |url=https://www.svd.se/a/4o9rPV/jomshof-forbjud-halvmanar-offentligt |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |language=sv |issn=1101-2412 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326110519/https://www.svd.se/a/4o9rPV/jomshof-forbjud-halvmanar-offentligt |url-status=live }}</ref> He drew parallels to the ban on the [[Swastika]], claiming that both symbols represent something dangerous.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Johannes |last=Nilsson |date=2024-01-23 |title=C rasar mot Jomshof: 'Hatpredikan' |trans-title=C rages against Jomshof: 'Hate speech' |url=https://nyheteridag.se/c-rasar-mot-jomshof-hatpredikan/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=[[Nyheter Idag]] |language=sv |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317092825/https://nyheteridag.se/c-rasar-mot-jomshof-hatpredikan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Niklas |last=Svahn |date=2024-01-22 |title=Jomshof: Förbjud halvmånar likt hakkors |trans-title=Jomshof: Ban crescents like swasticas |language=sv |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/O8vlVl |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=[[Aftonbladet]] }}</ref> 

==== Immigration ====
The Sweden Democrats believe that [[Immigration to Sweden|Sweden's recent immigration]] and integration policies have been a national failure. In a statement filed before the [[Riksdag]] Committee on Migration in August 2020, SD claims that Sweden's "irresponsible" immigration and asylum policies have subjected Sweden to an on-going "long-term, albeit low-intensity crisis".<ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=13 August 2020|title=Särskilt yttrande av Sverigedemokraterna i Migrationskommitténs slutbetänkande En långsiktigt hållbar migrationspolitik|trans-title=Special statement by the Sweden Democrats in the Migration Committee's final report "A long-term sustainable migration policy"|url=https://ratatosk.sd.se/sd/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/13092823/sarskilt_yttrande_migrationskommitten-1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004230733/https://ratatosk.sd.se/sd/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/13092823/sarskilt_yttrande_migrationskommitten-1.pdf|archive-date=4 October 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|website=|publisher=Sweden Democrats}}</ref> The SD official policy brief states that the party "welcomes those who contribute to our [Sweden's] society, who follow our laws and respect our customs. On the other hand, anyone who comes here and exploits our systems, commits crimes or exposes our citizens to danger is not welcome".<ref>{{cite web|title=Vår politik|url=https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/|access-date=15 January 2021|website=Sverigedemokraterna|language=sv-SE|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622211421/https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Historically, SD sought to repatriate most immigrants and ban immigration entirely; however, these policies were moderated in the 1990s before being abolished altogether.<ref name="auto6"/> Presently, SD positions itself against [[mass immigration]] and wishes to strongly restrict immigration by instead giving generous support to those who do not want to assimilate into Swedish society to emigrate back to their country of origin. The SD also wants to change laws to allow for wider deportations of foreign residents who engage in illegal activity or are unemployed and abusing state welfare.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sd.se/vad-vi-vill/en-strikt-invandringspolitik/ |title=En strikt Invandringspolitik |access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref> The Sweden Democrats also call for an expansion of circumstances in which citizenship can be revoked from naturalized citizens, with Jimmie Åkesson mentioning examples of those who commit crimes, engage in delinquency, support terrorism or remain socially unintegrated into society.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Svahn |first=Niklas |date=2023-11-09 |title=SD: Återkalla medborgarskap i fler fall |trans-title=SD: Revoke citizenship in more cases |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/dwW2Lz/sd-aterkalla-medborgarskap-i-fler-fall |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=[[Aftonbladet]] |language=sv |agency=[[TT News Agency|TT]]}}</ref> The Sweden Democrats also support raising the [[remigration]] allowance given to migrants and asylum seekers who seek to voluntarily leave the country.<ref>{{cite news|work=Euractiv|title=Swedish coalition divided over remigration allowance|date=10 September 2024|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/swedish-coalition-divided-over-remigration-allowance/}}</ref> The SD argues that its immigration policies are not based on xenophobia and that the party is not opposed to immigration per say, but believe immigration must stay at a level where it does not "threaten national identity, the country's welfare or security".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sd.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sverigedemokraternas-principprogram-2019.pdf |title=Principprogram |access-date=2024-02-02 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324201114/https://sd.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sverigedemokraternas-principprogram-2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> SD has also campaigned to restrict immigration from what it calls "culturally distant" countries and argues that temporary work visas should be limited only to skills that are impossible to find in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sverigedemokraternaspartiprogram.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/sverigedemokraterna-invandringspolitiskt-program/ |title=Immigration policy action program |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=2024-02-02 |archive-date=6 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406030308/https://sverigedemokraternaspartiprogram.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/sverigedemokraterna-invandringspolitiskt-program/ |url-status=live }}</ref> SD are against [[Freedom of movement for workers in the European Union|free movement of labour]] within the European Union, calling on Sweden to revise its membership of the [[Schengen agreement]], but support free movement between [[Nordic countries|Nordic nations]].<ref name="auto13"/> The SD believes that Sweden will be better able to help [[refugee]]s and economic migrants in their home areas once more state funds are freed from being directed towards funding immigration in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sd-vill-satsa-mer-pa-bistand-an-regeringen/|title=SD vill satsa på mer bistånd än regeringen|work=Expressen|access-date=29 October 2017|language=sv|archive-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916195559/http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sd-vill-satsa-mer-pa-bistand-an-regeringen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/migrationspolitik/|title=Migrationspolitik|access-date=22 December 2020|archive-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522133348/https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/migrationspolitik/|url-status=dead}}</ref> SD also favours cultural assimilation over integration of immigrants from non-Western backgrounds, arguing that integration is a meet in the middle approach and that Swedes should not have to bear the burden over what the party claims have been reckless immigration policies. {{ill|Torbjörn Kastell|sv}} (former party secretary from 2003 to 2004) said in 2002 that the party wanted "a multicultural world, not a multicultural society".<ref name="autogenerated10" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/business/sweden-economy-immigration.html|title=The Nordic Model May Be the Best Cushion Against Capitalism. Can It Survive Immigration? (Published 2019)|first=Peter S.|last=Goodman|newspaper=The New York Times|date=11 July 2019|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308223333/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/business/sweden-economy-immigration.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 

When handling asylum seekers and refugee cases, the SD supports protecting [[Nation state|national sovereignty]] in regards to Sweden's decisions on migration and border control. The party calls for Sweden to adopt "the principle of first safe country" into its asylum laws, meaning that asylum seekers should only be able to seek refugee status in the first safe country that they arrive in and will be refused refugee status in Sweden if they have already crossed multiple safe countries or their case is already registered in a foreign state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sd.se/vad-vi-vill/myter-om-invandring/ |title=Myter om invandring |access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref> Until such legislation is realized by the Riksdag, SD supports implementing stronger deterrents against asylum migration to Sweden through other countries and setting stricter limits on the right to welfare that asylum seekers are entitled to by the Swedish state and making cultural assimilation of those already in Sweden mandatory. The party opposes offering [[permanent residency]] to refugees, believing that temporary residency should be the standard for those who claim asylum in Sweden before a path to full residency or citizenship is considered. SD supports Sweden eventually accepting refugees exclusively through the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]] resettlement programme in accordance with a quota based on each [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipality]]'s capacity once Sweden's asylum laws are reformed and tightened.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=3 May 2020|title=Asylinvandring|url=https://sd.se/our-politics/asylinvandring/|access-date=15 January 2021|website=Sverigedemokraterna|language=sv-SE|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119104914/https://sd.se/our-politics/asylinvandring/|url-status=dead}}</ref> SD has also referred to the recommendations from the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR) which state that the return of refugees should be the solution to refugee problems.<ref name="autogenerated10" /> On asylum cases from the Middle East and Africa, the party supports giving priority to persecuted Christian, former Muslim and other religious or sexual minorities fleeing war or death for apostasy, believing that such individuals are less likely to be offered refuge elsewhere.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |title=Utrikespolitik |trans-title=Foreign policy |url=https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/utrikespolitik/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914202545/https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/utrikespolitik/ |archive-date=14 September 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |website=Sverigdemokraterna}}</ref> In 2017, members of the Sweden Democrats' leadership defended comments made by then US President [[Donald Trump]] in response to Trump's assertion that Sweden's immigration and asylum policies had led to a rise of terrorism and crime in Sweden.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-is-right-swedens-embrace-of-refugees-isnt-working-1487807010| title = Trump Is Right: Sweden's Embrace of Refugees Isn't Working – WSJ| newspaper = Wall Street Journal| date = 22 February 2017| access-date = 2 November 2021| archive-date = 23 February 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170223071341/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-is-right-swedens-embrace-of-refugees-isnt-working-1487807010| url-status = live}}</ref> However, following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] the SD supported accepting and accommodating Ukrainian refugees in Sweden.<ref name="rmx.news">{{cite web |url=https://rmx.news/crime/sweden-democrats-want-to-stop-asylum-for-everyone-except-ukrainians/ |title=Sweden Democrats want to stop asylum for everyone except Ukrainians |date=14 March 2022 |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917115248/https://rmx.news/crime/sweden-democrats-want-to-stop-asylum-for-everyone-except-ukrainians/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ahead of the [[2022 Swedish general election]], the party campaigned to tighten the rules in the Swedish Aliens Act ({{interlanguage link|Utlänningslagen|sv}}) to the strictest possible level within European law and encourage voluntary [[remigration]] of asylum seekers and immigrants who are economically inactive or remain culturally unassimilated.<ref name="auto1"/>

The SD also wants European governments to construct a security wall along the European border with Turkey in response to illegal immigration, terrorism and incursions by the [[Grey Wolves (organization)|Grey Wolves]] into Greece. It also calls on the Europe Union to commonly adopt a migration system based on the [[Operation Sovereign Borders|Australian model]] to prevent human trafficking across the Mediterranean which the party states enables illegal immigrants and terrorists to reach Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nyheteridag.se/charlie-weimers-sd-eu-behover-bygga-murar-mot-erdogans-turkiet/|title=Charlie Weimers (SD): EU behöver bygga murar mot Erdogans Turkiet|date=4 March 2020|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108142845/https://nyheteridag.se/charlie-weimers-sd-eu-behover-bygga-murar-mot-erdogans-turkiet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/bureaucratic-hubris-the-commissions-2020-2027-integration-action-plan-is-set-to-replicate-swedens-failure/|title=Bureaucratic hubris: The Commission's 2020–2027 integration action plan is set to replicate Sweden's failure|first=Nicholas|last=Waller|date=17 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219113648/https://www.neweurope.eu/article/bureaucratic-hubris-the-commissions-2020-2027-integration-action-plan-is-set-to-replicate-swedens-failure|url-status=dead}}</ref> SD calls for compulsory measures for immigrants to be employed, live and work in Sweden for at least ten years, learn the [[Swedish language]], go through a mandatory cultural assimilation program, and be subject to a language and social skills test before becoming eligible for Swedish citizenship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20150701/swedish-should-be-spoken-in-the-workplace|title=Swedish should be spoken in Sweden|work=thelocal|access-date=13 March 2020|language=en|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918145730/http://www.thelocal.se/20150701/swedish-should-be-spoken-in-the-workplace|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> The party also supports increased spending on border patrol forces, [[zero tolerance]] laws on illegal immigration and foreign-born criminals, repatriations of [[Schengen Area]] migrants who move to Sweden to make a living from street begging, changes in the law to enable the government to strip foreign-born Swedish nationals of their citizenship if found guilty of a crime, penalties against employers who use foreign and undocumented labor to circumvent Swedish working conditions and stricter laws against family migration.<ref name="auto1"/>

In recent years, the SD{{nbsp}}has tried to approach the immigration policies of the [[Danish People's Party]], which from 2001 to 2011 provided parliamentary support for the former Danish centre-right governments in return for a tightening of Danish immigration policies and stricter naturalisation laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klassekampen.no/46003/article/item/null |title=Vil kopiere Dansk Folkeparti |publisher=Klassekampen |date=21 May 2007 |access-date=8 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929232041/http://www.klassekampen.no/46003/article/item/null |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref> Following the [[2022 Swedish general election]], the Sweden Democrats achieved this objective under the [[Tidö Agreement]] with the centre-right Moderate, Christian Democrat and Liberal Party coalition government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20221121/explained-is-sweden-planning-to-withdraw-permanent-residency |title=EXPLAINED: What do we know about Sweden's plans to withdraw permanent residency? |date=21 November 2022 |access-date=28 October 2023 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028223033/https://www.thelocal.se/20221121/explained-is-sweden-planning-to-withdraw-permanent-residency |url-status=live }}</ref> In exchange for SD parliamentary support, the Swedish government conceded to some of the SD's immigration policy demands on requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship and expanding the deportation circumstances for foreign-born residents and asylum seekers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://behorizon.org/dissecting-the-new-swedish-migration-policy/ |title=Dissecting the New Swedish Migration Policy |date=14 November 2022 |access-date=28 October 2023 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028223033/https://behorizon.org/dissecting-the-new-swedish-migration-policy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following scenes of people in Swedish cities celebrating the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel]], the SD leadership stated that those who praised the attack should be expelled from the country and that the Tidö Agreement clause on deporting non-citizens on grounds of poor character and not just criminal convictions should be used against those who support [[Hamas]]. SD also states that Swedes of foreign backgrounds who leave the country to join legally designated terrorist groups should be stripped of their citizenship or residency and denied re-entry into the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.svd.se/a/zE2lqb/akesson-borde-kunna-utvisa-de-som-hyllar-hamas |title=Åkesson: Should be able to deport those who praise Hamas |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026194555/https://www.svd.se/a/zE2lqb/akesson-borde-kunna-utvisa-de-som-hyllar-hamas |url-status=live }}</ref>