Declaring an asylum crisis: unjustified and with major consequences
There is no asylum crisis
Let's get straight to the point: there is no asylum crisis. We can't emphasize this enough. Yet the government is declaring an asylum crisis in their agreement. Why? So they can activate an emergency law. With this emergency law, the government can deviate from the Aliens Act (Vreemdelingenwet), a law that protects asylum seekers. This has far-reaching consequences.
Emergency law not intended for this purpose
We'll talk more about the consequences later. But first, it’s important to understand that emergency laws are intended for unexpected situations, such as wars and natural disasters. That's clearly not the case here. There's a shortage of reception centers for asylum seekers. And this shortage was created by the government itself through years of budget cuts.
Using this self-created problem as a reason to activate an emergency law? That should not be allowed!
These are the consequences
1. Repeal of the Distribution Act (Spreidingswet)
With the emergency law, the government wants to repeal the Distribution Act. But the Distribution Act is the only real solution to address the shortage of reception centers. There should be more small-scale reception centers where asylum seekers can stay for longer periods, and these should be fairly distributed across the country. The Distribution Act creates peace for both asylum seekers and society as a whole.
2. Becoming a Dutch citizen? No longer possible
Under the emergency law, it's no longer poissible to become a Dutch citizen five years after receiving your residence permit. The threat of being sent back will remain. This is bad for integration. After all, how can you focus on integrating into a new country if you're not sure whether you’ll be allowed to stay long-term?
3. Stricter family reunification
Family reunification for children aged 18 or older will become stricter. Already, this group only qualifies for reunification if there's a dependency relationship with the parent, such as a seriously ill or disabled child. The government chooses to leave these family members in unsafe areas for many years — or possibly even permanently.
Refugees should not be scapegoated
Being strict at the expense of refugees seems to be more important to the government than solving real problems. Problems that refugees are not to blame for. We urge politicians: stop coming up with plans that only further undermine the asylum system and lead to more chaos. Focus on solutions that actually work.
And above all: conduct the debate with respect for human rights, facts, and the rule of law. Protecting people who need it is a core value of our society. This must never be lost in the political arena. Only then will the Netherlands move forward.
Your support is needed now more than ever
The cabinet is disrupting the asylum system, and refugees are paying the price. We continue to urge the government to adopt a fair and workable asylum policy. And we support refugees in building a future in the Netherlands. We cannot do this without your support.