Significant progress reported in border control measures by Suðurnes police in Iceland

The Chief of Police for Suðurnes says that significant progress has been made in border control in Iceland, although many Schengen countries do not prioritize internal borders. He expressed confusion over the need to negotiate with the European Union (EU) for airlines to provide passenger lists when there is already a legal basis for imposing fines for non-compliance.

Ulfar Ludviksson, the Chief of Police, emphasizes that the Schengen Agreement includes systematic border checks at external borders, which are robust in Iceland. He notes that while other countries do not focus on internal borders—which means people can move freely once they enter the Schengen area—there is still a necessity to monitor those arriving in other ways. Passenger information plays a critical role in this oversight.

Ludviksson mentioned that collaboration with foreign law enforcement is vital, and he believes that their accomplishments are noteworthy at a European level. Despite some challenges in obtaining passenger data from certain airlines, he noted that Iceland has laws allowing fines for airlines that fail to provide requested information, though this has never been enforced.

He pointed out the unique global position of Iceland, emphasizing the importance of maintaining effective oversight to prevent individuals with malicious intent from entering the country. He indicated that the police in Suðurnes have approximately 20 individuals in custody daily, primarily to prevent crime and illegal activities. This ongoing effort is critical to maintaining security in the region.