A taxi driver who has lived in Sweden for ten years faces potential deportation after being denied permanent residency twice due to traffic violations. According to SVT Skåne, Mansour (not his real name) has received four traffic fines between 2020 and 2024, including two speeding tickets, running a red light, and driving in a public transport lane.
Mansour, who began driving taxi five years ago to meet the Swedish Migration Agency's requirements for permanent residency, now holds a permanent employment contract but lives in fear of deportation when his temporary residence permit comes up for renewal. "If I had permanent residency, I could study and create a stable life instead of driving taxi under enormous stress," he told SVT Skåne.
If I had permanent residency, I could study and create a stable life instead of driving taxi under enormous stress,
All other members of his family have become Swedish citizens during their decade in the country, while Mansour remains the only one without permanent status. The Swedish Migration Agency has twice rejected his applications for permanent residency, citing the traffic violations as evidence he has not lived a "well-ordered life" as required by immigration rules.
Jesper Tengroth, press officer at the Swedish Migration Agency, explained: "In his case, as a professional driver, traffic fines can affect future possibilities for extending his income and thus his livelihood." The agency considers traffic violations when assessing whether applicants can support themselves and maintain orderly lives.
In his case, as a professional driver, traffic fines can affect future possibilities for extending his income and thus his livelihood.
Mansour argues that taxi drivers are more likely to make mistakes due to driving at least 300 kilometers daily, and that such violations should not form the basis for denying permanent residency.
Mansour argues that taxi drivers are more likely to make mistakes due to driving at least 300 kilometers daily, and that such violations should not form the basis for denying permanent residency.