Denmark Leads Europe in Retreating from Immigration. NewsWire

NewsWire: 1/14/22

• Denmark has quietly become a role model for other European countries seeking to limit immigration. The country is enacting more and more policies to enforce “Danishness” and encourage monoculturalism. (The Economist)
• NH: "Getting to Denmark" is the phrase political scientists use to refer to countries' pursuit of a pluralistic, liberal, inclusive society. In other words, Denmark is seen as the opposite of openly xenophobic countries like Hungary and Poland. (See “Why Eastern Europe Rejects Immigration.”)
• Well, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most anti-immigrant countries in Europe is...Denmark, which has the highest per-capita GDP in the EU and is run by the center-left Social Democrats. Its economy and government look nothing like Hungary's, but its immigration policies do.
• In recent years, Denmark's government has enacted a growing list of policies intended to deter or limit migrants. Last spring, Denmark was the first EU country to revoke refugee status for Syrians. Earlier, it extended immigrants’ wait for permanent residency from three years to seven and required migrants who have been on benefits for at least three years to work nearly full-time hours to receive them. One law aimed at conservative Muslims requires new citizens to shake hands with an official during naturalization ceremonies. The government has also introduced new school curricula promoting Danish-centric “canons” of culture and history. 
• One particular policy went so far that it was found to violate the European Convention of Human Rights. Last month, the former immigration minister was sentenced to two months in prison for a policy that separated couples seeking asylum.
• Liberal centrists in Europe have expressed lots of criticism of anti-immigrant sentiments in the eastern countries. But what they rarely acknowledge is that they have tried to placate the rising tide of populism by co-opting many of their policies. Denmark's approach is being treated like a model across Europe: The country's immigration and integration minister recently hosted or is expecting to host delegations from Greece and Austria. The U.K. passed a law that would send asylum seekers out of the country while their applications are under review, shortly after Denmark passed a similar law.
• Eastern Europe’s harsh rhetoric toward immigrants may be what’s getting most of the attention. But it’s Denmark that reflects the more common stance of countries quietly reversing course on once-generous policies, adopting the language of the right, and tightening their borders.