Myria, the Belgian Federal Migration Centre, today published a paper on humanitarian visa issued by the Belgian authorities in 2016.

In the wake of the refugee crisis and in reaction to terrorist attacks, European governments are seeking tighter control over the whereabouts of migrants and refugees. This policy paper sheds light on EU rules regulating the detention of applicants for international protection, how they are currently implemented by Member States, and the ongoing reform process.

The 18th edition of the EMN Bulletin provides up-to-date information on recent migration and international protection policy developments at EU and national level, including latest relevant published statistics.

This publication is based on social media research conducted by a small UNHCR team. Between March and December 2016, they issued weekly monitoring reports which have now been compiled into this synopsis.

This report assesses the impact of policies associated with "A European Agenda on Migration" on the journeys, experiences, expectations and concerns of 271 people on the move in 2015 and 2016.

How to stimulate unaccompanied young adult refugees’ inclusion in society? This report discusses cohousing and case management for unaccompanied young adult refugees in Antwerp (CURANT), a social policy intervention combining intensive individualized guidance, cohabitation with a local flatmate, training and therapy with the aim of supporting social integration. The stakeholders’ underlying assumptions are untangled, and the intervention’s core ideas are connected with academic literature.

This report shows how the lack of safe and legal pathways for refugee and migrant children feeds a booming market for human smuggling and puts them at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation.

23 (Member) States provided information on how they are currently dealing with some aspects of Directive 2016/801, in particular types of financial resources used by international students, the use of frozen/blocked accounts by international students, and approved/recognised organisations mediating au pairs. This ad-hoc query was launched by the Belgian Contact Point to the EMN.

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published today a press release with 2015 data on the acquisition of citizenship in the EU. The main conclusions are that EU Member States granted citizenship to fewer persons in 2015, and Moroccans, Albanians and Turks remain the main recipients.

The Africa-Frontex Intelligence Community (AFIC) Joint Report 2016 analyses the irregular migratory movements affecting AFIC countries and EU Member States, cross-border criminality and provides an overview of the main regional security threats affecting the countries in the community. The report also presents a picture of the smuggling networks in Africa.

This briefing provides a short overview of major developments relating to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection accros the countries covered by the Asylum Information Database (AIDA).

This policy brief examines how the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers has led to the fragmentation of the Dublin system. The flaws of the Dublin system are analysed, and the Commission’s proposal for the recast of the Dublin system is looked into.

24 (Member) States provided information on their policies and practices regarding the application of the ‘safe countries of origin’ concept in their procedures for international protection. This ad hoc query was launched by the Dutch and the Estonian Contact Points of the EMN.

This report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) aims to encourage determined and effective action towards building a Europe that is truly inclusive, rights-based and fair.

The 17th edition of the EMN Bulletin provides up-to-date information on recent migration and international protection policy developments at EU and national level, including latest relevant published statistics.

This report identifies concrete actions that could be taken to better leverage European Union soft law, funding, and knowledge exchange mechanisms to support cities’ activities when it comes to labour market integration.

The handbook highlights the complex implications of statelessness for individuals, states and societies, with good practices and recommendations aiming to increase engagement and progress in addressing this phenomenon by OSCE participating States.

The updated country report on Belgium contains information on recent developments in case law and policy related to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of international protection.

We know surprisingly little about how NGOs and asylum lawyers conduct research for asylum claims. To close this gap, Asylos interviewed 20 asylum lawyers and NGO staff in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and the UK  to understand the challenges of researching evidence, as well as the opportunities for improving the research process. Access the findings in our report

Eritrea has during the last decade become among the largest producers of refugees and asylum seekers in the world. The dominant narrative explaining this trend refers to the combination of a highly authoritarian and militarized state structure, an infinite and abusive national service program, and gross, widespread, and systematic human rights violations. This dominant narrative has however in recent years become increasingly challenged by those who argue that migration from Eritrea predominantly is driven by economic aspirations and that Eritreans really are fleeing a stagnant economy which deprives the citizens of a viable future.

This report, by Andreas Holm Røsberg and Kjetil Tronvoll, seeks to provide some clarity to this issue.  

16 (Member) States provided information on their policies and practices regarding the implementation and execution of provisions of EU directives on public order and public security. This ad hoc query was launched by the Dutch Contact Point to the EMN.

In 2015 the Study and Policy Unit from the Federal  Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, started with a study into vulnerable persons with specific reception needs. The first phase of this study has been completed.

Through its work in collaboration with grassroots associations and its task to provide information and referral in relation to individual requests, the Human Rights League has noted a series of needs specific to the domain of migration. The most important is undoubtedly that of access to information for migrants about their rights. The Human Rights League has therefore published a pocket guide containing the most important practical information for migrants.

The European Commission’s Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography (KCMD) published its first newsletter, with information on the KCMD, its recent activities and the Migration Data Catalogue and Dynamic Data Hub.

This paper reviews existing theoretical and empirical evidence on the economic effects of immigration in developing countries.