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Today, the European Commission decided to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to fully implement the Single Permit Directive (Directive 2011/98/EU). Designed to facilitate legal migration, the Directive introduces simplified procedures and a common set of rights for non-EU workers.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: single permit directive, Court of Justice of the European Union
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The Odysseus Network, with the support of the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN, organizes an evening debate focusing on "Immigrant Integration Policies of Belgian Regions: A Mirror of the Diversity in the EU?"
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: integration policy
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Today, the restricted Council of Ministers has approved the proposal of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration to create a single registration centre for asylum seekers in Neder-Over-Heembeek.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: registration centre
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A tribunal in Brussels sentenced eight persons to suspended 15-month prison sentences and a €165,000 fine for trafficking in human beings and degrading treatment.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
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Today, the Belgian Louise-Marie frigate departed from the port of Zeebrugge, starting its deployment in the Mediterranean sea in the framework of the EUNAVFOR MED – Sophia operation. The deployment will last until 28 July.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: EUNAVFOR MED, Sophia, frégate
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Today, the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration and the German Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a letter of intent to increase the cooperation of the two countries regarding monitoring beneficiaries of international protection who travel to their countries of origin.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: Letter of intent, Germany, cooperation
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An ordinance of the Joint Community Commission of Brussels - which was published in the Belgian Gazette today - establishes a mandatory integration programme for newcomers in Brussels.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: Brussels, integration programme
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As from today, potential victims of trafficking are issued an annex 15 valid for 45 days during the reflection period, following modification of article 61/2 §2 of the Immigration Act.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: residence document
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CNCD 11.11.11 and other organizations including CIRÉ, Médecins du Monde and Amnesty International, organize debates, testimonies and social and cultural encounters in different regions in Belgium to promote a different approach on migrations.
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Main theme: Integration, Migration
Keywords: migratory justice, civic assembly
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Today, the thematic Council of Ministers on security, justice and defence approved a series of measures, including the proposal of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration to increase the capacity of the closed detention centres for irregularly staying migrants.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: detention center, irregular migrant
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Today, two new laws have entered into force. They focus on the procedure to end the residence rights and organized the removal of foreign nationals legally residing in Belgium for reasons of public order or national security.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: public order, foreign terrorist fighter
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Today, a Royal Decree was published in the Official Gazette which details the type of residence permit the fee can apply to, and what the maximum amount of said fee is.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: residence permit, processing fee
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The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons has published a new guide that provides information to unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in Belgium, as well as their guardians.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: CGRS, asylum procedure
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Foreign nationals might have to pay a fee of maximum 50 euro in certain municipalities when they renew, extend or replace a temporary residence permit at the level of the municipalities. Modifications by the Law of 18 December 2016, published today in the Belgian Official Gazette, made it possible for municipalities to collect this fee.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: processing fee, residence permit
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Today the Council of Ministers decided that the mandatory fee migrants have to pay when applying for certain residence permits will increase.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: processing fee, application for a residence permit
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Today a new law enters (partly) into force inserting a general residence condition into the Immigration Act. The Immigration Office can now put an end to a residence permit if the person cannot put forward provable integration efforts.
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Main theme: Migration, Integration
Keywords: Integration, newcomers declaration
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Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen organizes an evening event on the subject of international protection. The programme includes a dance performance, a debate, a movie screening and a concert.
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Main theme: International Protection
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The Passenger Name Record (PNR) law has been adopted in Parliament in December 2016. It was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 25 January 2017. On the basis of this law, carriers will be obliged to send data on their passengers travelling from, to, or across Belgium to a central database.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: public order, Travellers
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In 2016, there was a sharp drop in the number of asylum applications in Belgium, and the number of decisions taken by the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons reached an all-time high.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: CGRS, asylum applications, asylum decisions
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Authorized officials of the Belgian Immigration Office have been granted direct access to certain parts of the central database of the Belgian police.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Immigration Office, Police
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In october 2016, Fedasil has opened a new return desk in Charleroi, where migrants can receive information and assistance on voluntary return.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission
Keywords: return desk, voluntary return
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The Belgian Contact Point of the EMN organised a conference on labour market participation of beneficiaries of international protection. The event took place on the 8th of November in Brussels (Résidence Palace).