Dutch lawmakers pass controversial bills tightening asylum rules

Published on 04/07/2025 - 11:01 GMT+2

Dutch lawmakers connected Thursday approved 2 arguable bills aimed astatine tightening restrictions connected asylum-seekers, contempt interest from immoderate MPs that nan caller measures could criminalise those offering humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants.

The legislation, passed by nan little location precocious Thursday evening, reduces nan long of impermanent asylum residency permits from 5 years to three, halts nan issuance of caller asylum permits indefinitely, and imposes caller restrictions connected family reunification for recognised asylum recipients.

The Dutch Red Cross estimates that betwixt 23,000 and 58,000 group presently reside successful nan Netherlands without ineligible status.

Although nan bills cleared nan little chamber, they whitethorn still look rejection successful nan precocious location pursuing nan summertime recess. If nan Senate blocks nan measures, they will return to nan little location for revision.

Tighter migration controls were a cardinal promise of nan now-collapsed governing coalition, led by Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party. 

The four-way authorities dissolved past period aft conscionable 11 months successful office, pinch migration expected to predominate nan upcoming threat predetermination connected 29 October.

Wilders blamed nan coalition’s illness connected delays successful pushing guardant pinch migration reform. While his conjugation partners disputed that claim, each parties had antecedently voiced support for stricter migration policies. 

Wilders’ statement presently leads sentiment polls by a slim separator complete a recently merged centre-left alliance.

The Christian Democrats withdrew their support for nan authorities pursuing nan last-minute summation of an amendment introduced by a personnel of Wilders’ party. 

The clause, which narrowly passed owed to nan absence of immoderate guidance MPs, would criminalise individuals and organisations that assistance undocumented migrants, arsenic good arsenic those domiciled successful nan state without valid visas aliases asylum rulings.

The ballot marked nan last parliamentary convention earlier nan summertime break. The precocious location is expected to statement nan measure upon its return.