The 24th edition of the EMN Bulletin provides information on developments at EU and national level (from July to September 2018) regarding general policy developments; the Common European Asylum System; unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups; legal migration and integration; the management of the EU external borders; irregular migration and return; external dimensions; and trafficking in human beings.

This edition includes information - inter alia - on:

At EU level:

• The European Commission announced new proposals in the fields of migration and external action during the annual State of th Union speech. 

• According to a survey conducted by the Pew research Centre, the majority of Europeans citizens are positive towards the idea of receiving refugees from countries where there is war and violence. However, they disapprove the way the EU is dealing with the refugee issue. 

• On 24 July, the European Commission announced the expansion of two concepts: control centres and regional disembarkation arrangements. The first concept aims to improve the distinction between irregular migrants and people in need of international protection, while the second one concerns disembarkation centres situated on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea along the coast where individuals will be divided into persons in need of international protection (possible resettlement to the EU) and irregular migrants (assistance throughout return and reintegration to countries of origin).

•  …

At national level:

• BE: Follwing the entry into force of the Royal Decree of 22 July 2018 on 11 August, irregularly staying familes with minor children can be detained with a view to removal in family housing on the grounds of the closed detention centre of Steenokkerzeel. The families may only be detained as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. 

• HR: By the Government Decision as of 30 August 2018 a new protocol in dealing with unaccompanied minors has entered into force. With the protocol more effective and efficient national system will be put in place in relation to unaccompanied minors. 

• FI: by the end of June, the Finnish Immigration Service had granted a total of about 6 500 seasonal work permits. Since the beginning of this year, people coming to Finland to do seasonal work have been required to get a permit. The majority of them work during the summer season on berry farms and in agriculture. 
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More developments and other information can be found in the Bulletin (document above).