In the heart of Brussels lies the Immigration office, a stark concrete structure housing critical decisions that impact migrants and their families. Recently, a new government bill emerged, altering access to family reunification—a vital program allowing legal foreign residents to bring loved ones to Belgium. Under the revised legislation, refugees must now submit applications within six months, while beneficiaries of subsidiary protection face a two-year wait. Additionally, the financial requirements for family reunification have tightened considerably, necessitating a monthly income of €2,300, up from €2,100, further complicating the process for many aspiring families.
The repercussions of these changes raise significant concerns regarding the feasibility of family reunification for many migrants. Thomas Willekens, a policy officer with Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, highlights that the new income threshold is exorbitant, noting that many average workers in Belgium do not earn this amount. For a family of four, the financial burden becomes even heavier, requiring a net income of €2,700. This steep increase effectively creates obstacles for legal migrants seeking to reunite with their families, driving them into precarious circumstances that endanger their family’s safety.
Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt defends these stringent measures by asserting the need to control the influx of migrants. Citing socio-economic pressures, she emphasizes that Belgium can no longer accommodate high numbers of incoming families through reunification. The government’s decision sees a sharp increase in application fees for naturalization—from €150 to €1,000—further pushing the process out of reach for many. While they claim these measures are necessary, critics argue they serve to mask more severe restrictions on family reunification.
Willekens articulates that the fallout from these new rules extends beyond procedural hurdles, as prolonged family separations could hinder the integration of refugees into Belgian society. The challenge of learning the native language and adjusting socially becomes insurmountable for individuals troubled by the well-being of relatives they cannot access. While the law originally provided safe pathways for refugees to join their families, strict new requirements threaten to funnel vulnerable individuals into the hands of smugglers, wherein the risks and costs skyrocket.
This tightening of family reunification policies is not isolated within Belgium; it is indicative of a broader European trend. Portugal has also enacted stricter measures recently, mirroring Belgium’s restrictive approach. In Germany, MPs voted to suspend family reunifications for those with subsidiary protection, while Austria has imposed a six-month suspension on processing such applications. Consequently, the European landscape reveals a worrying cohesion among countries in imposing more stringent immigration controls, often at the expense of family unity.
In summary, Belgium’s recent legislative adjustments underscore a critical shift in immigration policy that compromises the already vulnerable positions of many migrants. The new financial requirements and timeline for family reunification are seen as a deliberate move to limit incoming families, raising urgent questions about the long-term societal implications. As countries across Europe adopt similar measures, the plight of refugees and their families continues to escalate, drawing attention to the critical need for humane immigration practices that prioritize family unity and human rights.
