Latest news with #DutchRedCross
a day ago
- Politics
A bill setting new limits on asylum-seekers passes in the Dutch parliament
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A pair of bills cracking down on asylum-seekers wishing to settle in the Netherlands has passed in the Dutch parliament after wrangling and soul-searching by some lawmakers who feared the law would criminalize offering compassionate help to undocumented migrants. The legislation cuts temporary asylum residency from five to three years, indefinitely suspends the issuance of new asylum residency permits and reins in family reunions for people who have been granted asylum. It passed in the lower house late Thursday evening but could still be rejected in the upper house. The Dutch Red Cross has estimated 23,000 to 58,000 people live in the Netherlands without an official right to residence. Taking tough measures to rein in migration was a policy cornerstone for the four-party coalition led by the Party for Freedom of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The coalition collapsed last month after just 11 months in office, and migration is expected to be a key issue ahead of the snap election Oct. 29. Wilders pulled the plug on the coalition saying it was taking too long to enact moves to rein in migration. His coalition partners rejected the criticism, saying they all backed the crackdown. His party currently holds a narrow lead in opinion polls over a center-left two-party bloc that recently agreed to a formal merger. The opposition Christian Democrats withdrew their support for the legislation put to the vote Thursday over a late amendment that would criminalize people living in the Netherlands without a valid visa or asylum ruling — and would also criminalize people and organizations that help such undocumented migrants. The amendment was introduced by a member of Wilders' party and passed narrowly because a small number of opposition lawmakers were not present for the vote. The vote took place in the final session of parliament before lawmakers broke for the summer. The upper house will consider the legislation after it returns from the recess. If Christian Democrats in the upper chamber reject it, the legislation will be returned to the lower house.
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Dutch lawmakers pass controversial bills tightening asylum rules
Dutch lawmakers on Thursday approved two controversial bills aimed at tightening restrictions on asylum-seekers, despite concern from some MPs that the new measures could criminalise those offering humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants. The legislation, passed by the lower house late Thursday evening, reduces the duration of temporary asylum residency permits from five years to three, halts the issuance of new asylum permits indefinitely, and imposes new restrictions on family reunification for recognised asylum recipients. The Dutch Red Cross estimates that between 23,000 and 58,000 people currently reside in the Netherlands without legal status. Although the bills cleared the lower chamber, they may still face rejection in the upper house following the summer recess. If the Senate blocks the measures, they will return to the lower house for revision. Tighter migration controls were a central pledge of the now-collapsed governing coalition, led by Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party. The four-way government dissolved last month after just 11 months in office, with migration expected to dominate the upcoming snap election on 29 October. Wilders blamed the coalition's collapse on delays in pushing forward with migration reform. While his coalition partners disputed that claim, all parties had previously voiced support for stricter migration policies. Wilders' party currently leads opinion polls by a slim margin over a newly merged centre-left alliance. The Christian Democrats withdrew their support for the legislation following the last-minute addition of an amendment introduced by a member of Wilders' party. The clause, which narrowly passed due to the absence of some opposition MPs, would criminalise individuals and organisations that assist undocumented migrants, as well as those residing in the country without valid visas or asylum rulings. The vote marked the final parliamentary session before the summer break. The upper house is expected to debate the bill upon its return.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
A bill setting new limits on asylum-seekers passes in the Dutch parliament
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A pair of bills cracking down on asylum-seekers wishing to settle in the Netherlands has passed in the Dutch parliament after wrangling and soul-searching by some lawmakers who feared the law would criminalize offering compassionate help to undocumented migrants. The legislation cuts temporary asylum residency from five to three years, indefinitely suspends the issuance of new asylum residency permits and reins in family reunions for people who have been granted asylum. It passed in the lower house late Thursday evening but could still be rejected in the upper house. The Dutch Red Cross has estimated 23,000 to 58,000 people live in the Netherlands without an official right to residence. Taking tough measures to rein in migration was a policy cornerstone for the four-party coalition led by the Party for Freedom of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The coalition collapsed last month after just 11 months in office, and migration is expected to be a key issue ahead of the snap election Oct. 29. Wilders pulled the plug on the coalition saying it was taking too long to enact moves to rein in migration. His coalition partners rejected the criticism, saying they all backed the crackdown. His party currently holds a narrow lead in opinion polls over a center-left two-party bloc that recently agreed to a formal merger. The opposition Christian Democrats withdrew their support for the legislation put to the vote Thursday over a late amendment that would criminalize people living in the Netherlands without a valid visa or asylum ruling — and would also criminalize people and organizations that help such undocumented migrants. The amendment was introduced by a member of Wilders' party and passed narrowly because a small number of opposition lawmakers were not present for the vote. The vote took place in the final session of parliament before lawmakers broke for the summer. The upper house will consider the legislation after it returns from the recess. If Christian Democrats in the upper chamber reject it, the legislation will be returned to the lower house.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
A bill setting new limits on asylum-seekers passes in the Dutch Parliament
A pair of bills cracking down on asylum-seekers wishing to settle in the Netherlands has passed in the Dutch parliament after wrangling and soul-searching by some lawmakers who feared the law would criminalize offering compassionate help to undocumented migrants. The legislation cuts temporary asylum residency from five to three years, indefinitely suspends the issuance of new asylum residency permits, and reins in family reunions for people who have been granted asylum. It passed in the lower house late Thursday evening but could still be rejected in the upper house. The Dutch Red Cross has estimated 23,000 to 58,000 people live in the Netherlands without an official right to residence. Taking tough measures to rein in migration was a policy cornerstone for the four-party coalition led by the Party for Freedom of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The coalition collapsed last month after just 11 months in office, and migration is expected to be a key issue ahead of the snap election Oct. 29. Wilders pulled the plug on the coalition, saying it was taking too long to enact moves to rein in migration. His coalition partners rejected the criticism, saying they all backed the crackdown. His party currently holds a narrow lead in opinion polls over a center-left two-party bloc that recently agreed to a formal merger. The opposition Christian Democrats withdrew their support for the legislation put to the vote Thursday over a late amendment that would criminalize people living in the Netherlands without a valid visa or asylum ruling–and would also criminalize people and organizations that help such undocumented migrants. The amendment was introduced by a member of Wilders' party and passed narrowly because a small number of opposition lawmakers were not present for the vote. The vote took place in the final session of parliament before lawmakers broke for the summer. The upper house will consider the legislation after it returns from the recess. If Christian Democrats in the upper chamber reject it, the legislation will be returned to the lower house.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
A bill setting new limits on asylum-seekers passes in the Dutch parliament
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A pair of bills cracking down on asylum-seekers wishing to settle in the Netherlands has passed in the Dutch parliament after wrangling and soul-searching by some lawmakers who feared the law would criminalize offering compassionate help to undocumented migrants. The legislation cuts temporary asylum residency from five to three years, indefinitely suspends the issuance of new asylum residency permits and reins in family reunions for people who have been granted asylum. It passed in the lower house late Thursday evening but could still be rejected in the upper house. The Dutch Red Cross has estimated 23,000 to 58,000 people live in the Netherlands without an official right to residence. Taking tough measures to rein in migration was a policy cornerstone for the four-party coalition led by the Party for Freedom of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The coalition collapsed last month after just 11 months in office, and migration is expected to be a key issue ahead of the snap election Oct. 29. Wilders pulled the plug on the coalition saying it was taking too long to enact moves to rein in migration. His coalition partners rejected the criticism, saying they all backed the crackdown. His party currently holds a narrow lead in opinion polls over a center-left two-party bloc that recently agreed to a formal merger. The opposition Christian Democrats withdrew their support for the legislation put to the vote Thursday over a late amendment that would criminalize people living in the Netherlands without a valid visa or asylum ruling — and would also criminalize people and organizations that help such undocumented migrants. The amendment was introduced by a member of Wilders' party and passed narrowly because a small number of opposition lawmakers were not present for the vote. The vote took place in the final session of parliament before lawmakers broke for the summer. The upper house will consider the legislation after it returns from the recess. If Christian Democrats in the upper chamber reject it, the legislation will be returned to the lower house. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
