The current Asylum law stipulates that asylum seekers, refugees and those with an 'alternative' status can be deported if they've been found guilty of committing grievous crimes and pose a danger to the Latvian society.
The amendments propose that if an asylum seeker or a refugee is found guilty of committing a criminal offence, he or she would lose the right to stay in Latvia.
Dainis Liepiņš, the faction head of the LRA, said that "taking into account the growing number of asylum seekers and refugees from Africa and the Near East, as well as the events of the end of 2015 in Europe, we understand that there is a need in Latvia for active and timely action to defend the interests and safety of the society."
The events of Cologne have resonated in the Latvian society. For example, Riga Municipal Police Chief Juris Lukass said during a Riga City Council committee meeting Thursday that, while the situation as regards refugees "is not as tense as in other European cities", the police will be able to ''safeguard our local women'', reported LETA news agency.
No refugees have arrived to Latvia yet as part of the relocation scheme.
