The Commission has made its new proposal to replace the measure which the Court of Justice annulled in September.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Frontex, external sea border

The migration of data from SIS I to SIS II has started as the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) is today replacing the current system.

The European Rights and Migration Team (EDEM) provides access to a directory including and summarizing asylum related case law from the Aliens Litigation Council, the Council of State, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights.

In written questions and answers to the House of Representatives, dated from 2 April 2013, Maggie de Block provided information inter alia on the length of and project aimed at improving the asylum procedure in Belgium.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) starts tri-annually publishing a newsletter that provides regular updates on the progresses and achievements in the context of migration and environment.

The State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy and for Social Integration informed on changes and ongoing pilot projects concerning the control and reimbursement of urgent medical assistance related costs.

Coreper reached an agreement today on the final two legislative texts forming part of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).

Today the Commission proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.

Eurostat disseminates statistics on asylum applicants and first instance decisions in 2012, highlighting that there were 332.000 asylum applicants in 2012 in comparison with 302.000 in 2011.

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) judgement dated from 23 October 2012, highlighting some deficiencies in foreign children's rights in Belgium, was published today.
Main Theme: Reception
Keywords: european social charter

The EMN Work Programme for 2013 builds on and consolidates the approach of last year, improving the network capacity for producing information in more flexible and timely ways to meet the needs of policymakers.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: work programme

SIS II, which is seen as a vital seucirty factor in the EU, will be in operation on 9 April 2013, becoming one of the world's largest IT systems in the field.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

On 4 March 2013, the Law laying down sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals came into force.

Today, the Commission proposed a "smart border package" to reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.

The the January/February edition of the European Asylum Support Office’s newsletter was launched.

The European Commission is asking Belgium to further facilitate the entry and residence of non-EU family members of Union citizens in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

The preliminary executive summary of the report concludes that it is necessary to push forward discussions in order to move towards legislation in the area in the near future.

The policy papers on asylum, migration and reception were presented by secretary of state Maggie De Block in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The main achievements regarding asylum, migration and reception for the year 2012 are listed, as well as the challenges for the coming year.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: policy paper

The programme of the Irish Presidency was officially launched in Dublin on Wednesday 9 January and establishes priorities in the fields of Asylum and Migration.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Irish Presidency

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons publishes a document containing the statistics on the asylum applications and the decisions taken. The statistical overview for December also provides an overview for the complete year 2012.

Today, Tuesday 8 January 2013, the act of purchase was signed for the building that will become the open return centre in Holsbeek.

At the occasion of this Itinera event, various experts, including Dirk Jacobs (ULB) and Jasper Dag Tjaden (Migration Policy Group), gave their vision from both a Belgian and European perspective on "Education & Integration".
Main Theme: Integration
Keywords: education

At the occasion of the IE EMN NCP conference in Dublin, a wide audience, including national policy makers and experts as well as representatives from the Commission and other NCPs, discussed protection challenges.