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Denmark wants to seize jewelry and cash from refugees
In recent months, Denmark has taken a fairly harsh stance toward refugees. In September, for example, authorities published an ad in Lebanese newspapers carrying an unmistakable message to foreigners who might think about seeking asylum: Don't come to Denmark.

Now, the country is debating another and even more extreme step: The government is considering a law that would allow authorities to confiscate jewelry from refugees entering the country. The proposal is almost certain to pass Parliament.

The law would also impact refugees already in the country. It is included in an asylum policy bill that is expected to pass Parliament in January and would be set to take effect by next February. Police authorities would be allowed to seize valuables and cash amounts they deem expensive enough.

According to the Integration Ministry, "the new rule on seizure will only apply to assets of a considerable value." Foreigners are expected to be able to "keep assets which are necessary to maintain a modest standard of living, e.g. watches and mobile phones. Furthermore, assets which have a certain personal, sentimental value to a foreigner will not, as a main rule, be seized unless they have [considerable] value."
For example, Fatima's wedding ring...
There were discrepancies in how the two main political parties are interpreting the proposed law. "Absurdly, the minister of justice initially explained the law on television by saying that it would apply to a hypothetical asylum seeker arriving with a suitcase full of diamonds. This prompted the Danish People’s Party to point out that items of smaller value should also be impounded," Whyte said.

He thinks there is no need for the law. "Asylum seekers generally do not arrive in Denmark with large amounts of cash and jewelry," he said.
How about guns and ammo?
The proposal "has been branded petty and cruel, and some opponents have asked whether the government would also be taking out asylum seekers' gold fillings," Whyte said. The idea of seizing jewelry from people who are fleeing has a particularly bitter connotation in Europe, where the Nazis confiscated large amounts of gold and other valuables from Jews and others.

The Danish Integration Ministry emphasized, however, that current rules already required refugees with sufficient financial means to pay for their stay themselves.
That seems fair. Public support is for those who cannot support themselves. Denmark requires the same of their own citizens.
Although the seized valuables are supposed to pay for refugee-related expenditures, the financial impact could be of less consequence. Experts say the Danish government is more interested in sending a message.

"Europe currently receives a very high number of refugees," Denmark's Integration Ministry defended the law. "Denmark does take a share. However, [too many refugees] put pressure on the Danish society and make it more difficult to ensure a successful integration of those who come to Denmark."

"Refugees who have been granted a residence permit can make full use of the free Danish school, education (including tertiary education) and health system on the same level as everyone else in Denmark," the ministry said. Denmark also provides integration procedures that run up to three years and include language as well as job training, for instance. "The aim of the Danish integration effort is to support refugees in order for them to become participating and financially independent citizens," the statement emphasized.
If you're looking to send the message that the 'refugees' should go elsewhere, anywhere else, this is a good message to send.

Posted by: Steve White 2015-12-22
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=439367