In total, 7,396 people without legal residence returned to their country of origin in 2022.  After a decline during corona years 2020 and 2021, the numbers are again on the rise. 

In addition to 2,673 voluntarily returns, 2,971 persons were forcibly returned. The number of forced returnees increased by 43 per cent compared to 2021. 1,752 people were stopped at the border and were sent back (1,237 in 2021), for example, because they did not have the correct documents. 

The State Secretary highlighted some new initiatives to increase the number of returns:

• The establishment of an extensive network of regional return desks to inform migrants about return trajectories; 
• Increasing the capacity of return homes for families;
• Increasing the capacity of detention centres;

In addition, the State Secretary emphasises the importance of cooperation with countries of origin to facilitate return and demands a more robust European response. 

For further information, please read (in Dutch) the press release from the State Secretary Nicole De Moor.