Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS1068
2009-08-04 13:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN GOVERNMENT LIFTS IMMIGRATION STALEMATE
how-toVZCZCXRO4307 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBS #1068/01 2161341 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041341Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9299 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001068
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT LIFTS IMMIGRATION STALEMATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001068
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT LIFTS IMMIGRATION STALEMATE
1. Summary: On July 17 the GOB agreed on new terms for
dealing with the growing number of immigrants and
asylum-seekers in Belgium. The agreement puts a thorny
political problem to rest for a while, and illustrates Prime
Minister Herman Van Rompuy's talent for compromise in Belgian
politics. End Summary.
BELGIUM'S IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
--------------
2. Belgium's immigration policy is no more restrictive than
that of most of its European neighbors. However, a series of
demonstrations in Brussels by undocumented immigrants and
their Belgian supporters, including hunger strikes and stunts
such as the occupation of cranes at building sites in
downtown Brussels last year, put increasing pressure on the
GOB to ease and expedite regularization of undocumented
foreigners. The government also faced (and continues to
face) a shortage of housing for refugees, as it was trying to
accommodate not only those waiting for a hearing on their
applications, but also those who were appealing adverse
decisions, were homeless after winning their cases, were
unaccompanied minors and others. Today, Belgium is home to
some 971,500 foreign nationals (nine percent of the
population) as well as an estimated 100,000 undocumented
aliens. In the year 2000, the GOB enacted a mass
regularization of undocumented aliens and awarded some 50,000
people residency permits. In recent years the GOB's more
restrictive approach to immigration has reduced the number of
persons seeking refuge in Belgium. The Belgian Commissariat
for Refugees awarded refugee status to roughly 2,500 people
in 2008, while the Immigration Minister awarded residence
permits to 8,639 undocumented aliens on humanitarian grounds
that same year.
CRITERIA FOR RESIDENCY
--------------
3. The GOB's agreement affects mainly those aliens already
present and does not set rules for future arrivals.
Applications for regularization must be submitted by December
15, 2009. On a case by case basis, aliens who meet the
following criteria can receive residence status:
-- Those whose applications for asylum or residence have not
been acted on within five years.
-- Those who have put down family, social or economic roots
in Belgium.
-- Those who have lived in Belgium since March 31, 2007 and
can show they have employment or an offer of employment.
-- Those who can show humanitarian reasons and are among the
"most vulnerable."
COMMENT
--------------
4. Prime Minister Van Rompuy let it be known in early July
that he would not allow the government's budget process to
proceed until a solution to the question of undocumented
immigrants was found. When he took office in December 2008,
he had promised to find a solution to the immigration
stalemate. Disagreements between francophone and Flemish
ministers prevented action until Van Rompuy's ultimatum.
Immigration Minister Annemie Turtelboom (Open VLD),who has
moved to Minister of Interior in the post-election government
reshuffle, lost considerable political capital for her
ineffectiveness in dealing with the problem. Socialist
Minister of Integration, Marie Arena, had pushed for
regularization of as many undocumented as possible, and was@mpromise with Turtelboopoliticians are often aQ
ofrussels a the June regional elecior WathelQt and Philippe
Courard, respectively) opened Qp room for a compromise. The
agreement reached by the Belgian cabinet has triggered some
neative reactions from politicians in Holland whofear that
Belgium's unilateral decision wiQl attract scores of new
immigrants to the Netherlands as well as Belgium. Belgian
officialsbelieve that some 25,000 undocumented persons wQll
qualify for permanent residence under the Qew legislation.
The agreement is a victory for Herman Van Rompuy as Prime
Minister and illustrates his ability to find compromise --
one talent that is greatly prized among Belgian politicians.
The July 17 agreement will not fully solve Belgium's problems
with illegal immigration, but it will at least allow the GOB
BRUSSELS 00001068 002 OF 002
to carry on after the summer recess period. End comment.
BUSH
.
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT LIFTS IMMIGRATION STALEMATE
1. Summary: On July 17 the GOB agreed on new terms for
dealing with the growing number of immigrants and
asylum-seekers in Belgium. The agreement puts a thorny
political problem to rest for a while, and illustrates Prime
Minister Herman Van Rompuy's talent for compromise in Belgian
politics. End Summary.
BELGIUM'S IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
--------------
2. Belgium's immigration policy is no more restrictive than
that of most of its European neighbors. However, a series of
demonstrations in Brussels by undocumented immigrants and
their Belgian supporters, including hunger strikes and stunts
such as the occupation of cranes at building sites in
downtown Brussels last year, put increasing pressure on the
GOB to ease and expedite regularization of undocumented
foreigners. The government also faced (and continues to
face) a shortage of housing for refugees, as it was trying to
accommodate not only those waiting for a hearing on their
applications, but also those who were appealing adverse
decisions, were homeless after winning their cases, were
unaccompanied minors and others. Today, Belgium is home to
some 971,500 foreign nationals (nine percent of the
population) as well as an estimated 100,000 undocumented
aliens. In the year 2000, the GOB enacted a mass
regularization of undocumented aliens and awarded some 50,000
people residency permits. In recent years the GOB's more
restrictive approach to immigration has reduced the number of
persons seeking refuge in Belgium. The Belgian Commissariat
for Refugees awarded refugee status to roughly 2,500 people
in 2008, while the Immigration Minister awarded residence
permits to 8,639 undocumented aliens on humanitarian grounds
that same year.
CRITERIA FOR RESIDENCY
--------------
3. The GOB's agreement affects mainly those aliens already
present and does not set rules for future arrivals.
Applications for regularization must be submitted by December
15, 2009. On a case by case basis, aliens who meet the
following criteria can receive residence status:
-- Those whose applications for asylum or residence have not
been acted on within five years.
-- Those who have put down family, social or economic roots
in Belgium.
-- Those who have lived in Belgium since March 31, 2007 and
can show they have employment or an offer of employment.
-- Those who can show humanitarian reasons and are among the
"most vulnerable."
COMMENT
--------------
4. Prime Minister Van Rompuy let it be known in early July
that he would not allow the government's budget process to
proceed until a solution to the question of undocumented
immigrants was found. When he took office in December 2008,
he had promised to find a solution to the immigration
stalemate. Disagreements between francophone and Flemish
ministers prevented action until Van Rompuy's ultimatum.
Immigration Minister Annemie Turtelboom (Open VLD),who has
moved to Minister of Interior in the post-election government
reshuffle, lost considerable political capital for her
ineffectiveness in dealing with the problem. Socialist
Minister of Integration, Marie Arena, had pushed for
regularization of as many undocumented as possible, and was@mpromise with Turtelboopoliticians are often aQ
ofrussels a the June regional elecior WathelQt and Philippe
Courard, respectively) opened Qp room for a compromise. The
agreement reached by the Belgian cabinet has triggered some
neative reactions from politicians in Holland whofear that
Belgium's unilateral decision wiQl attract scores of new
immigrants to the Netherlands as well as Belgium. Belgian
officialsbelieve that some 25,000 undocumented persons wQll
qualify for permanent residence under the Qew legislation.
The agreement is a victory for Herman Van Rompuy as Prime
Minister and illustrates his ability to find compromise --
one talent that is greatly prized among Belgian politicians.
The July 17 agreement will not fully solve Belgium's problems
with illegal immigration, but it will at least allow the GOB
BRUSSELS 00001068 002 OF 002
to carry on after the summer recess period. End comment.
BUSH
.