Denmark’s government has secured cross-party backing for a plan to seize cash and valuables from asylum seekers to help meet the cost of their stay, highlighting how mistrust toward migrants is growing across Europe.
The Danish minority government, which relies on support from an anti-immigrant party in parliament, said it would seek lawmakers’ approval on Jan. 26 and hopes to put the plan in place by the start of February.
Under the seizure plan, Danish police would be given the power to take cash and valuables valued at more than 10,000 kroner ($1,450), although items of special personal value, such as wedding rings or family portraits, would be exempt.
Outlining the plan, Danish Immigration Minister Inger Stojberg said:
“In Denmark, you should support yourself if you can.”
During a debate in Parliament on Wednesday, opposition lawmaker Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, of the Red Green Alliance, said the plan provided no remedy to the migrant crisis.
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