Belgium’s Migration Minister, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, has proposed leveraging the European Union’s trade and visa policies to pressure less developed countries into accepting the return of rejected migrants. This strategy marks a significant shift from the EU’s traditional approach of separating trade and immigration policies. The proposal aims to address the low return rate of rejected asylum seekers, which currently stands at approximately 20%, primarily due to non-cooperation from their home countries.
Van Bossuyt suggests using the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and visa advantages as bargaining tools to encourage non-EU nations to accept their nationals who have been denied asylum. This approach mirrors strategies employed by other countries, such as the United States, which have utilized economic pressure to influence migration cooperation. The Belgian government’s stance aligns with a broader European trend of tying migration cooperation to economic incentives.
The proposal comes amid rising asylum applications in Belgium and growing far-right influence across Europe. In 2024, Belgium received 39,615 asylum applications, an 11.6% increase compared to 2023, yet had accommodation for only 35,600 applicants. To address these challenges, the Belgian government plans to implement stricter asylum regulations, including reduced benefits and tougher family reunification criteria.
Belgium’s approach is part of a broader European Union initiative to intensify the fight against illegal immigration. EU leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, have advocated for innovative solutions, such as outsourcing asylum processing to third countries, to manage migration more effectively. However, these proposals have faced criticism from rights groups, which argue that they could lead to human rights abuses and prolonged detention.
In addition to these measures, Belgium has announced plans to reinstate border checks to curb illegal migration. Starting this summer, targeted checks will be conducted on motorway car parks, buses, trains, and intra-Schengen flights from countries like Greece and Italy, which face high migration pressure. This move aligns Belgium with recent migration clampdowns by Germany and the Netherlands.
The Belgian government’s firm stance on migration reflects a broader European trend towards stricter immigration policies. While these measures aim to address the challenges posed by rising asylum applications and irregular migration, they have sparked debates regarding their effectiveness and potential impact on human rights.
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