Minister Faber: The Netherlands will have the strictest asylum regime ever

News item | 13-09-2024 | 14:00

The Netherlands is unable to handle the high numbers of migrants. Asylum centres are filled to the brim, procedures take too long and costs are rising out of proportion. Moreover, the continued asylum influx leads to problems in the areas of public housing, health care and education.

To come back to grips with the situation, this government comes with the strictest asylum regime ever, the government programme published today shows. Via limiting the influx, faster procedures, tit for tat for troublemakers, stricter border control, restrictions on family reunification options and firm commitment to return, the Netherlands must be the leading European country concerning admission rules.

Minister Faber (Asylum and Migration): “The electorate gave us a clear assignment. We’ve got to change course and the influx must come down immediately. We will take measures to make the Netherlands as unattractive as possible to asylum seekers. And there is no room for those who abuse our hospitality. A safer Netherlands is my goal.”

Asylum crisis

Emergency powers will be activated by the Minister of Asylum and Migration and the Prime-Minister as soon as possible. This will allow the government to deviate from the Foreign Nationals Act. Children of age can no longer claim family reunification. New facts and circumstances in the case of repeat asylum applications will be verified more strictly. It will also be possible to refuse asylum seekers who do not appear at a hearing or an appointment.

The government will withdraw the Dispersal Act by implementing an Asylum Crisis Act, new asylum applications will no longer be decided on, reception will be economised on and forced deportation will apply to people without a residence permit if necessary. That will immediately address the situation in the asylum chain caused by the high influx.

Asylum policy

The situation in the asylum chain must also be addressed structurally. There will be strict conditions in terms of family reunification and as narrow a definition of a nuclear family as possible. For the vast majority of asylum seekers, family reunification will only be possible if they have permanent housing, a fitting income and at least two years of residence status. The first legislative changes will go to the Council of State this autumn.

Asylum seekers will also no longer automatically get an indefinite asylum residence permit after five years. It means that they have to return to the country of origin as soon as it is safe there. The order declaring a person an undesirable foreign national is extended. It will help to faster deport asylum seekers committing crimes.

This government will also make it clear to the European Commission as soon as possible that the Netherlands want an opt-out of the European asylum and migration policy. In the meantime, Minister Faber forms a united front with like-minded countries and border control will be strengthened.