The Latvian Minister of the Interior, Richard Kozlowski, presented proposals to strengthen the legal framework for third-country nationals' residence. The proposals focus on education, employment, taxation, and immigration control, aiming to enhance preventive measures and stricter oversight.
Concerns were raised about private higher education institutions facilitating immigration rather than genuine study, and cases of employment violations. According to Maira Roze, head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 16 companies have already lost the right to employ third-country nationals for these reasons. The information report includes 24 proposals, such as requiring deposit fees for first-year international students, restricting family reunification for university students, increasing rental property inspections, and revoking temporary residence permits for repeat administrative offenders.
As Riga concentrates the largest number of third-country nationals, the Ministry of the Interior envisioned special cooperation between the internal affairs services, the Riga municipality and the municipal police.