Denmark's 'migrant confiscation law' yields little cash

A controversial Danish law allowing asylum-seekers' assets to be confiscated has reaped only 117,600 kroner (£14,000; $17,500) for the state, police figures show.


Cash has been seized four times since the law came into effect in February.

The law provoked angry exchanges when it was being debated, with the government arguing it was only fair to make refugees contribute.

Critics say the new figures prove their claim that the law was just "symbolic".

Police confirmed the cash confiscation figure to the BBC, saying they were authorised to search new arrivals for assets and only took those over and above a 10,000-kroner limit.

The sum was seized from individuals or groups of asylum-seekers on four occasions between June and October.

• The single biggest amount was 79,600 kroner taken from five Iranians on 30 June.

The figures were applauded by the anti-immigration Danish People's Party, with deputy Martin Henriksen telling AFP news agency the law had been "a success in the sense that it sent a signal that we have tightened [the rules] in Denmark".
 BBC
4/11/16
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Related:

• Denmark approves controversial migrant assets bill

• UN Condemns Danish Plan to Seize Migrants' Cash and Valuables