As the year comes to a close, the team at the Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN) would like to send you its heartfelt wishes for this holiday season. May the New Year bring us new opportunities for meaningful exchanges and positive impact as we continue to provide you with valuable information on asylum and migration.

In a recent judgment, the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that a Member State cannot exclude from the benefit of family allowances a foreign worker whose children, born in a third country, cannot prove that they have entered its territory lawfully.

On 19 December 2024, Myria published the sixth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « Nationality », Myria pays particular attention inter alia to the sums to be paid to become Belgian and analyses the impact of such costs on fundamental rights and on women's access to nationality.

The 18 December was chosen to celebrate International Migrants Day and the contributions that migrants make to the societies and countries that host them. On this occasion, various persons and organisations took action and issued statements calling for respect for the rights of migrants.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the Atlas of Migration 2024 which delves into the complex factors and conditions that shape migratory movements. The research shows that a wide range of interrelated drivers linked to the circumstances in the origin country, opportunities in the potential destination country as well as personal ambitions shape the migration potential of individuals and groups.

"Migration and asylum in Europe" allows to explore, visualise and compare indicators on migration and asylum at the EU and country levels. Key data and trends are proposed on topics such as population diversity, protection and asylum, irregular migration and return, and skills of migrants.

During the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 December 2024, Member States agreed on a proposal aimed at bringing their criminal law closer together on issues such as the definition and sanctioning of migrant smuggling. The text will now be used by the Council in “trilogue” negotiations with the European Parliament.

The Council of the European Union adopted a decision to lift checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. Bulgaria and Romania will so become full Schengen members.

The situation at the Union’s borders with Russia and Belarus remains of concern with persistent threats related to the weaponisation of migrants. In a new Communication, the European Commission sets the framework for actions to guarantee the security of the Union and the territorial integrity of the Member States.

In London, the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Belgium, in the presence of the European Commission and its agencies, Europol and Frontex, agreed on a five-point priority plan to tackle irregular migration and migrant smuggling in 2025. Key priorities include targeting illicit financial flows that sustain smuggling networks and tackling organised crime groups' use of social media to recruit and advertise dangerous journeys across Europe and the Channel.

As of 9 December 2024, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons will temporarily suspend processing cases of applicants originating from Syria. Planned personal interviews will be cancelled and assessments will be temporarily put on hold.

From 9 December 2024 until 8 June 2025, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will conduct temporary checks at its borders with Belgium and Germany to, among other things, stem irregular immigration into the country and combat migrant smuggling. Travellers intending to cross the border are advised to carry their ID documents with them.

On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, Fedasil highlights the importance of volunteers who give their time to residents in reception centres and of sponsors who create links with these residents outside of the centres. If you have free time, join them and contact a reception centre in your neighbourhood!

On 4 December 2024, the European Commission released a proposal for a Regulation enabling a progressive start of operations for Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES). According to the proposal, the Member States will start registering at least ten per cent of border crossings, and by the end of the given six-month period, they will need to reach the full registration of all people.

Myria has published the fifth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « International protection », Myria pays particular attention inter alia to the new residence procedure for stateless persons. The Federal Migration Centre underlines that the new procedure is subject to strict conditions and that it provides reduced procedural guarantees for stateless persons.

The Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration has announced that she would use all possible means to reduce the number of applications from persons who already have protection in another EU Member State. She intends to oppose the Council for Aliens Law Litigation's rulings leading to the admissibility of these applications and the recognition of a protected status.

On 27 November 2024, members of the European Parliament elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote. The College of Commissioners is expected to take office on 1 December 2024. Magnus Brunner will be the new Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, marking the end of Ylva Johansson's mandate. 

On 26 November 2024, the European Commission launched a new programme to support a Talent Partnership between the EU and Pakistan. The programme, that is funded with EUR 3 million from the EU, will enable the EU, its Member States, and Pakistan to develop a coherent set of actions on labour mobility and skills development.

The EMN Steering Board has voted on the topics to be analysed in studies and informs in 2025. In total, one study and nine informs, particularly in connection with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, will be developed next year. A Belgian proposal inviting us to rethink the reception of applicants for international protection was selected.

EMN Belgium visited the team of DEI Belgium - ECPAT to better understand each other's activities and deepen exchanges and opportunities for cooperation. EMN Belgium, for example, learned more about their work to protect migrant children and their parents in reception centres.

The Federal Public Service Justice is currently able to assign a guardian to an unaccompanied foreign minor within the normal period of 8 weeks. However, the demand for guardians remains high in Limburg, Antwerp and Brussels, and the Guardianship Service is still urgently looking for additional guardians.

The Federal Institute for Human Rights launched an investigation into "the growing tendency of Belgian authorities not to implement court decisions that condemn them", inter alia regarding the reception of applicants for international protection. The report following the investigation will be sent to the Chamber of Representatives.

18 November marks the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Children are the most vulnerable group in society and children who are migrating, especially if unaccompanied, face an increased risk of being subjected to violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.

The latest International Migration Outlook 2024 includes a special focus on immigrant entrepreneurship. It highlights that migrants represent a growing share of total entrepreneurs in OECD countries. In 2022, 17% of the self-employed in OECD countries on average were migrants, up from 11% in 2006.

A man suspected of running an operation that supplied small boats and engines to human smugglers who were active in Belgium and northern France was arrested in the Netherlands. The 44-year-old Turkish national faces extradition to Belgium to face charges of human smuggling in the context of the activities of a criminal organisation.