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In a recent judgment, the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that a Member State cannot exclude from the benefit of family allowances a foreign worker whose children, born in a third country, cannot prove that they have entered its territory lawfully.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: migrant worker, equal treatment, social security, family benefits, minor
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On 19 December 2024, Myria published the sixth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « Nationality », Myria pays particular attention inter alia to the sums to be paid to become Belgian and analyses the impact of such costs on fundamental rights and on women's access to nationality.
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Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality, registration fee, women
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"Migration and asylum in Europe" allows to explore, visualise and compare indicators on migration and asylum at the EU and country levels. Key data and trends are proposed on topics such as population diversity, protection and asylum, irregular migration and return, and skills of migrants.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics
Keywords: migration trend, asylum trend
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The Council of the European Union adopted a decision to lift checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. Bulgaria and Romania will so become full Schengen members.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, Bulgaria, Romania
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During the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 December 2024, Member States agreed on a proposal aimed at bringing their criminal law closer together on issues such as the definition and sanctioning of migrant smuggling. The text will now be used by the Council in “trilogue” negotiations with the European Parliament.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: migrant smuggling, criminal offence, penalty, humanitarian clause
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The situation at the Union’s borders with Russia and Belarus remains of concern with persistent threats related to the weaponisation of migrants. In a new Communication, the European Commission sets the framework for actions to guarantee the security of the Union and the territorial integrity of the Member States.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border security, external border, weaponization of migration, migration instrumentalization
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In London, the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Belgium, in the presence of the European Commission and its agencies, Europol and Frontex, agreed on a five-point priority plan to tackle irregular migration and migrant smuggling in 2025. Key priorities include targeting illicit financial flows that sustain smuggling networks and tackling organised crime groups' use of social media to recruit and advertise dangerous journeys across Europe and the Channel.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Calais Group, irregular migration, English channel, smuggling network, action plan
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As of 9 December 2024, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons will temporarily suspend processing cases of applicants originating from Syria. Planned personal interviews will be cancelled and assessments will be temporarily put on hold.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: application for international protection, Syria
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From 9 December 2024 until 8 June 2025, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will conduct temporary checks at its borders with Belgium and Germany to, among other things, stem irregular immigration into the country and combat migrant smuggling. Travellers intending to cross the border are advised to carry their ID documents with them.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: internal border control, Schengen borders code
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On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, Fedasil highlights the importance of volunteers who give their time to residents in reception centres and of sponsors who create links with these residents outside of the centres. If you have free time, join them and contact a reception centre in your neighbourhood!
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: reception centre, volunteer
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On 4 December 2024, the European Commission released a proposal for a Regulation enabling a progressive start of operations for Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES). According to the proposal, the Member States will start registering at least ten per cent of border crossings, and by the end of the given six-month period, they will need to reach the full registration of all people.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, start of operations, external border, border control
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On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the International Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, UNHCR and NANSEN organise a study day on statelessness. Particular emphasis will be placed on the rights of stateless persons and the specific procedures applicable in Belgium, in particular the new residence procedure for stateless persons.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: stateless persons, residence procedure, access to rights
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The EU launched a call for proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to prevent irregular migration through awareness-raising and information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration in selected third countries and within Europe. The available call budget is EUR 10 000 000.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: awareness-raising, information campaign, migrant smuggling
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On 27 November 2024, members of the European Parliament elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote. The College of Commissioners is expected to take office on 1 December 2024. Magnus Brunner will be the new Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, marking the end of Ylva Johansson's mandate.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner for Home Affairs
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The Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration has announced that she would use all possible means to reduce the number of applications from persons who already have protection in another EU Member State. She intends to oppose the Council for Aliens Law Litigation's rulings leading to the admissibility of these applications and the recognition of a protected status.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: applicant for international protection, refugee, protection status
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Myria has published the fifth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « International protection », Myria pays particular attention inter alia to the new residence procedure for stateless persons. The Federal Migration Centre underlines that the new procedure is subject to strict conditions and that it provides reduced procedural guarantees for stateless persons.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: stateless persons, residence procedure, procedural guarantee, equal treatment, interview
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The EMN Steering Board has voted on the topics to be analysed in studies and informs in 2025. In total, one study and nine informs, particularly in connection with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, will be developed next year. A Belgian proposal inviting us to rethink the reception of applicants for international protection was selected.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
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A man suspected of running an operation that supplied small boats and engines to human smugglers who were active in Belgium and northern France was arrested in the Netherlands. The 44-year-old Turkish national faces extradition to Belgium to face charges of human smuggling in the context of the activities of a criminal organisation.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: small boat, smugglers, English channel
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This conference, organised by the Maltese National Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN), aims inter alia to examine ways to strengthen ties between migrant children and host communities and to foster mutual understanding. The inclusion of migrant children in local communities, through education, social work, advisory and community services, will be discussed.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: children, migrant child, unaccompanied minors
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EMN Belgium visited the team of DEI Belgium - ECPAT to better understand each other's activities and deepen exchanges and opportunities for cooperation. EMN Belgium, for example, learned more about their work to protect migrant children and their parents in reception centres.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation
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The Federal Public Service Justice is currently able to assign a guardian to an unaccompanied foreign minor within the normal period of 8 weeks. However, the demand for guardians remains high in Limburg, Antwerp and Brussels, and the Guardianship Service is still urgently looking for additional guardians.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied minors, guardianship
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The Federal Institute for Human Rights launched an investigation into "the growing tendency of Belgian authorities not to implement court decisions that condemn them", inter alia regarding the reception of applicants for international protection. The report following the investigation will be sent to the Chamber of Representatives.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: reception crisis, court decision, non-compliance
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18 November marks the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Children are the most vulnerable group in society and children who are migrating, especially if unaccompanied, face an increased risk of being subjected to violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.048 persons obtained Belgian nationality in August 2024. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in August are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Italy and France.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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EMN France's national conference will focus on the recent Inform published jointly by the EMN and OECD, which provides an overview of civic training schemes/programmes for third-country nationals in EMN Member and Observer Countries, and in non-EU OECD countries. It will also discuss educational approaches, systems and exams in place to convey and assess knowledge of civic principles and values.