On 7 May 2025, the Court of First Instance of West Flanders, Bruges division, sentenced the Vietnamese national, N. Van Kim (34), in absentia to twelve years’ imprisonment and a fine of €616,000 for human smuggling under aggravating circumstances. The court also ordered the deprivation of his civil rights for ten years and issued a warrant for his immediate arrest.

On the occasion of Labour Day, Fedasil published new figures on the professional activity of applicants for international protection residing in reception centres. In 2024, 41% of those allowed to work were active on the Belgian labour market. The data show differences in employment rates depending on gender, age, and nationality.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, warns that the measures announced by the federal government in its "Easter Agreement" violate the right to family life. The institution announced in a press release published on Tuesday that it had shared its observations with the government and expressed hope for a constructive dialogue.

On 28 April 2025, Samusocial launched a new shelter dedicated to unaccompanied foreign minors living on the streets, often referred to as “wandering” minors. This centre aims to provide a safe and supportive space for young people with complex needs who do not have access to existing aid structures.

During a lunch & learn session, the EMN Belgium team met with around 30 Fedasil staff members to present the work of the European Migration Network, encourage active participation in the national network, and provide updates on recent and upcoming publications and activities.

On 23 April 2025, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announced an extension of the suspension of the processing of applications for international protection from Syrian nationals. The suspension, initially introduced on 9 December 2024, will remain in place until at least the end of July 2025.

EMN Luxembourg, in cooperation with the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents in Luxembourg and the European Network of Ombudsmen for Children, organise a joint capacity-building event to support Member States and their respective institutions in implementing the Pact, especially regarding children’s rights. 

This event aims to help migration policymakers and practitioners better understand the potential of AI applications as well as the regulatory framework of the AI Act and its impact on the use of AI in migration management, and to discuss the impact of AI on policymaking.

This data comes from Bruss’help’s eighth count, carried out through a large-scale collaboration across sectors and indicating a worsening trend of homelessness in Brussels. For the first time, data from reception centres for applicants for international protection were collected. Out of 5.135 individuals, 17 were required to leave their centre within 30 days without any housing solution, while 94 remained beyond their expected departure due to the lack of stable housing options.

This conference will explore the role labour migration might play in addressing labour market shortages in the Netherlands and the broader European context, while considering both the benefits and the challenges it brings. Participants will look at case studies and delve into concrete examples from other EU Member States, and explore various approaches to managing labour migration. Policymakers and experts will engage in this dialogue to examine the diverse policy choices that might shape the future of labour migration policies. 

The European Commission has issued a proposal to accelerate the implementation of certain aspects of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, with the aim of helping Member States process asylum claims more quickly, particularly for applicants whose claims are likely to be unfounded. In addition, the proposal includes the establishment of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. Human rights organisations have raised concerns, especially about the inclusion of Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, which they argue have ongoing human rights issues.

Recent data requested by Green party MP Matti Vandemaele from the Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), indicate a notable increase in the time taken to process applications for international protection. This trend has implications for applicants, who remain in prolonged uncertainty, and for the national reception system, which continues to face significant pressure.

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.353 persons obtained Belgian nationality in January 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in January are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Italy and Turkey.

On 11 April 2025, the Belgian Council of Ministers agreed on a package of crisis measures aimed at addressing key issues in the field of asylum and migration. The measures include limitations on reception for asylum seekers, restrictions on subsequent applications for international protection, stricter family reunification conditions, and the termination of integration income for asylum seekers. The four draft bills and the draft royal decree have been submitted to the Council of State for review.

In a judgment issued on 11 April 2025, the District Court of The Hague, sitting in Groningen, found that single, non-vulnerable male asylum seekers face a real risk of being deprived of adequate reception facilities in Belgium, which could lead to inhumane or degrading treatment. This ruling follows previous decisions by Dutch judges who determined that Dublin transfers to Belgium could not be carried out due to insufficient guarantees of proper accommodation.

The EU Commission launched a call for proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to finance projects aiming to improve healthcare access for migrants, support migrant women through better labour market integration, enhance digital literacy, create accessible education, ensure the protection of migrant children. The available call budget is EUR 34 million.

The Education Department of Caritas International Belgium, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Sankaa, has launched "Building Bridges", an educational resource for secondary school teachers. This resource helps educators address key topics such as identity, prejudice, racism, and media representation. At its core, "Building Bridges" explores the central question: How can we create a more supportive and inclusive society where everyone has a place?

The conference will explore the future of Ukrainian displaced persons beyond temporary protection and will bring together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for policy transitions, address employment related integration challenges, share best practices, and examine the role of the diaspora in supporting long-term solutions.

Last year, Fedasil’s mobile and multilingual Reach Out team provided information to 1.702 migrants in precarious situations in Brussels and Flanders. Representing more than 75 nationalities, these individuals received counselling on a wide range of topics, from international protection and reception to healthcare, employment, and voluntary return.

In July 2025, the Odysseus Network for Legal Studies on Migration and Asylum in Europe organises the 25th edition of its yearly summer school. It will focus on the European immigration and asylum policies from a legal perspective, including the latest developments in 2025. Special emphasis will be placed on the adoption of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.