The European Migration Network (EMN) Glossary is an essential resource, which offers an EU-wide multidisciplinary vocabulary of approximately 500 terms and concepts related to asylum and migration. Let's focus today on the term "unaccompanied minor" to make sure we have a common understanding and use of the term!

The Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor is on a mission to Vietnam to strengthen cooperation with that country regarding the prevention of irregular migration and return.

The State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor has appointed Sophie Van Balberghe as the new Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). The Council of Ministers approved her appointment today.

Nicole de Moor calls for an interministerial conference on labour migration to better protect and integrate migrant workers. Integration courses for this target group should be considered.

In the fourth quarter of 2022 (Q4 2022), there were 123 865 non-EU citizens ordered to leave an EU country (+11% compared with Q3 2022), and 28 155 non-EU citizens were returned to another country (including other EU countries) following an order to leave (+9% compared with Q3 2022). 

Fedasil increases the reception capacity for unaccompanied minors. Mid-April 2023, a new center will be set up in the former hotel ‘Lambermont 322’, located along Boulevard Lambermont in Schaerbeek.

You are from Liège and you want to give your time to unaccompanied foreign minors? Caritas is looking for volunteers who want to meet them and exchange, either by doing activities or by supporting them at school.

In 2021, there were an estimated 2.3 million immigrants coming to the EU from non-EU countries and about 1.1 million people from the EU who emigrated to a country outside the EU. This is an important increase compared with 2020.

Several major challenges have affected the EU's external borders in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. These multiple challenges impacted figures and trends and urged policy developments which are clearly presented in a briefing released today by the European Parliament. 

In 2022, 881 200 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, up by 64% compared with 2021 (537 400).

During this morning national event, EMN Belgium presented key developments on migration and asylum in 2022 and invited numerous key experts to explain important issues and perspectives for 2023.

According to the statistics released today by the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, the backlog amounted to 18.390 cases concerning 21.618 persons at the end of February 2023.

Fedasil funds specific projects every year. In 2023, 16 projects receive national funding, of which 4 projects concern the activation of asylum seekers through employment, and 8 projects benefit from European funding (AMIF).

The Agency invites non-profit organizations, NGOs, cities and municipalities to subscribe to a flexible cooperation agreement with a view to establishing unique partnerships.

The learning tool “Destination Europe” is now offered to Dutch-speaking secondary school teachers who want to introduce their students to decision-making on migration and integration.

Today, the Commission adopted a Communication that presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expediting returns.

The meeting put institutional stakeholders and the private sector around the table, to exchange experiences and knowledge regarding the future EU Talent Pool and other databases.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 9 and 10 March 2023. Ministers inter alia discussed the internal and external aspects of migration and the overall state of the Schengen area.

In the first two months of 2023, the number of irregular border crossings reported by national authorities increased to 28 130, roughly in line with the same period last year. The Central Mediterranean and Western Balkan routes remain the most active.

The first package of reforms contains several measures. Nicole De Moor said in a statement that, according to the texts to be discussed in Parliament, reception places will be allocated to those in an ongoing asylum procedure, cooperation on return will be enshrined in law and abuses in family reunification will be combated. Finally, a solution will be offered to vulnerable persons in specific situations such as statelessness.

This Communication takes stock of the Directive's implementation over the last year, draws the lessons learned and identifies priority areas where continued efforts are needed.

Today the upgraded Schengen Information System (SIS) enters into operation to enhance security and border management in Europe. The renewed SIS is being enhanced to include new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingermarks, and DNA records for missing persons, and additional tools to combat crime and terrorism.

On Tuesday 7 March, the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN discussed current information needs with the Cabinet of Nicole de Moor to make EMN resources available to policymakers.

On Friday 3 March, the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium was invited by the Commission of Foreign Affairs of the Benelux Parliament to talk about joint migration issues in the Benelux. 

In the House of Representatives today, Nicole de Moor responded to numerous questions regarding possible fraudulent cases of applications for single permits. All involved actors, including the Flemish Region, the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Office, are now part of a working group to foster information exchange and avoid future abuses.