News item | 28-04-2023 | 1:00 pm
The government is preparing for an influx of more than 70,000 asylum seekers this year. This is evident from the Long-Term Production Prognose (MPP), which State Secretary Van der Burg (J&V) sent to the House of Representatives today.
In the semi-annual MPP, the government outlines which scenarios of asylum influx should be taken into account. Unrest in countries on and outside the European continent is causing a high expected influx of asylum seekers. Given all the uncertainties, the government maintains a scenario between the medium and maximum scenario: more than 70,000 asylum seekers. The expected influx of unaccompanied minor foreign nationals has also been sharply adjusted upwards, with an increase of 27%.
For the COA, this expected influx means that it will need 77,100 reception places by 2024. The prospect of the high influx of asylum seekers has resulted in the highest target set for municipalities since 2015 in terms of housing permit holders. The number of people with a residence permit to be accommodated has been set at 27,300 for the second half of 2023.
Approach
Asylum in the Netherlands must be humane and just, but also effective and manageable. The government does not see the influx as a given and is actively working to get a better grip on migration, both within the Netherlands and abroad. The number of asylum seekers applying for asylum is increasing throughout Europe. The Netherlands will continue to work at the highest political level to give new impetus to the European debate on migration. We are working hard on collaborations with countries of origin and transit countries to prevent irregular migration and promote return. In addition, the European Commission is strengthening the external borders.
In addition to efforts at home and abroad to get a grip on migration, the government has taken measures with parties from the chain to prepare for the expected influx. The government fully understands how much the pressure on asylum reception places on municipalities, provinces, chain organizations and society. Stable funding, reinforcement of the Provincial Control Tables, the realization of a fixed stock of the COA and the elaboration of small-scale reception, among other things, mean that we are working hard on sufficient reception places. In addition, by making flexible housing available, the hand is extended to municipalities to get movement in the market for housing seekers and to promote the outflow from asylum reception towards accommodation of permit holders.
It is not possible for the IND to increase the number of decisions in such a way that the influx is kept up to date or the work in hand is made up. This problem can no longer be solved by the IND alone and the consequences extend further than just this organization or the asylum chain. Measures have therefore been taken to prevent stocks from rising further. On the one hand, by more efficiently processing asylum applications from Syrians and Yemenis who quickly qualify for granting, for example by hearing more specifically. On the other hand, priority is given to applications from asylum seekers whose chance of being granted asylum is small, such as Algerian and Moldovan asylum seekers.
In addition, it is being examined how the start of the asylum process, the identification and registration process (I&R), can be designed in such a way that asylum applicants are registered as early as possible in their asylum process.
Research acceptance rate
Although asylum policy hardly changed, from 2020 there will be an increase in the percentage of asylum applications that are granted. The high average acceptance rate can largely be explained on the basis of the differences in the composition of the asylum population between the Netherlands and other Member States. However, the Netherlands is more compliant with regard to a number of nationalities than a few years ago, and the Netherlands is also more compliant than the other member states. Research by the cabinet shows that implementation practice in particular has changed. Partly as a result of court rulings, the IND increasingly has to demonstrate that asylum protection is not necessary instead of the asylum seeker having to make a plausible case that he is entitled to asylum. In addition, asylum law in the Netherlands has undergone a development whereby more categorical assessments are made instead of looking at the individual.
The government intends to bring implementation practice into line with European frameworks. In this way, the government prevents the Netherlands from becoming unnecessarily attractive as a country of destination. For example, the group policy is being revised, as a result of which individual assessment will carry more weight. In addition, it is examined whether the distribution of the burden of proof, including the credibility assessment, in the Netherlands is in line with European law. In addition, information from other member states is obtained about their country policy, and IND strengthens quality control. This is done in a way that fits within international treaties and is feasible. Some of the measures can take effect quickly, while others require further elaboration.
Follow-up
In addition to the above, the government is in talks to formulate a strategic migration agenda. And a fundamental reorientation of asylum has started.