On 4 March 2013, the Law laying down sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals came into force.

Today, the Commission proposed a "smart border package" to reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.

The the January/February edition of the European Asylum Support Office’s newsletter was launched.

The European Commission is asking Belgium to further facilitate the entry and residence of non-EU family members of Union citizens in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

The preliminary executive summary of the report concludes that it is necessary to push forward discussions in order to move towards legislation in the area in the near future.

The policy papers on asylum, migration and reception were presented by secretary of state Maggie De Block in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The main achievements regarding asylum, migration and reception for the year 2012 are listed, as well as the challenges for the coming year.

The programme of the Irish Presidency was officially launched in Dublin on Wednesday 9 January and establishes priorities in the fields of Asylum and Migration.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons publishes a document containing the statistics on the asylum applications and the decisions taken. The statistical overview for December also provides an overview for the complete year 2012.

Today, Tuesday 8 January 2013, the act of purchase was signed for the building that will become the open return centre in Holsbeek.