Sweden's teen deportations – 'I was terrified I wouldn't get a visa'

Sweden's teen deportations have affected young people who live in Sweden and whose parents have the right to be in Sweden, but who themselves no longer meet the requirements for a residence permit.

After sustained public outcry, media reporting and opposition pressure, Sweden's government announced relief measures on June 1st.

These included the option for young adults who came to Sweden as dependents of their parents to no longer have to leave the country in order to apply for their own permits.

Once this law comes into effect in October, it will have a big effect on young people like 19-year-old Paola Claudio.

Despite having lived in Sweden with her family since she was 15 and being in full time studies at Stockholm's prestigious KTH University, she had to interrupt her studies at exam time in order to make a last minute round trip to Mexico or risk being issued with a deportation order.

The Local’s Mandy Pipher caught up with Paola Claudio in April to learn more about why she ended up travelling all the way to Mexico once she learned she risked being deported from Sweden.

READ ALSO:

• Teenager makes round-trip to Mexico to avoid being deported from Sweden

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