Belgium's Crackdown on Irregular Migration with Tightened Border Controls
Belgium intends to bolster border checks
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Fed up with irregular migration and related crime, the Belgian government is gearing up to tighten border controls. This move is also aimed at stopping people from moving to Belgium after seeking asylum in other states [1].
Starting soon, checks will take place at significant entry points like motorway rest areas, international bus traffic, specific trains, and intra-European flights, especially those originating from countries with high migration pressure such as Italy and Greece [1]. Interestingly, these border controls will not only happen at physical border crossings but also on transport and transit routes within the Schengen zone [2].
The new measures are based on Article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, which allows temporary border reintroduction due to security concerns or migration pressures [2]. These steps are part of a larger strategy to curb illegal migration and asylum shopping within the Schengen Area [1][5].
The controls are likely to run for six months initially, after which the effectiveness will be assessed. Notably, the European Commission acknowledges that member states can employ such measures as alternatives to border controls [3]. However, Belgian police unions have raised concerns about how these controls will be conducted without disrupting other police tasks [4].
It's worth mentioning that this stricter stance on migration comes as a response to the recent increase in asylum applications in Belgium [5]. The government is sending a clear message that it won't tolerate illegal migration or asylum shopping [5].
[1] belga.be
[2] eur-lex.europa.eu
[3] europeancommission.ec.europa.eu
[4] vlaamsepolitie.be
[5] nrc.nl
- The Community policy and the policy-and-legislation surrounding employment are anticipated to play a crucial role in managing the workforce within Belgian immigration services, as the government seeks to address the influx of migrants.
- The tightened border controls in Belgium, imposed amidst the rise in war-and-conflicts, migration, and crime-and-justice issues, have sparked debates about their impact on general-news and politics, particularly relevant within the broader context of policy-and-legislation on migration.
- As the Belgian government enforces stricter employment policies to combat irregular migration, the broader implications on the community and the overall job market remain an area of concern, requiring a balanced approach that ensures fair employment practices while upholding security measures.
