More asylum seekers return home

There has been a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers who receive financial help to return to their countries of origin. Only 15 persons availed themselves of that assistance in 2007 but 1,072 did in 2008. So far this year, 398 persons have received the money to return home. Most of those who accepted the financial package are Iraqis. The assistance is given to those whose applications for asylum have been rejected as well as those who willingly withdraw such applications in favour of the assistance. The increase is a result of the increased number of Iraqis whose applications have been rejected as well as the increased repatriation of asylum seekers by the Swedish police.