SIS II, which is seen as a vital seucirty factor in the EU, will be in operation on 9 April 2013, becoming one of the world's largest IT systems in the field.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

On 4 March 2013, the Law laying down sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals came into force.

Today, the Commission proposed a "smart border package" to reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.

The the January/February edition of the European Asylum Support Office’s newsletter was launched.

The European Commission is asking Belgium to further facilitate the entry and residence of non-EU family members of Union citizens in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

The preliminary executive summary of the report concludes that it is necessary to push forward discussions in order to move towards legislation in the area in the near future.

The policy papers on asylum, migration and reception were presented by secretary of state Maggie De Block in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The main achievements regarding asylum, migration and reception for the year 2012 are listed, as well as the challenges for the coming year.

The programme of the Irish Presidency was officially launched in Dublin on Wednesday 9 January and establishes priorities in the fields of Asylum and Migration.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons publishes a document containing the statistics on the asylum applications and the decisions taken. The statistical overview for December also provides an overview for the complete year 2012.

Today, Tuesday 8 January 2013, the act of purchase was signed for the building that will become the open return centre in Holsbeek.

At the occasion of this Itinera event, various experts, including Dirk Jacobs (ULB) and Jasper Dag Tjaden (Migration Policy Group), gave their vision from both a Belgian and European perspective on "Education & Integration".

At the occasion of the IE EMN NCP conference in Dublin, a wide audience, including national policy makers and experts as well as representatives from the Commission and other NCPs, discussed protection challenges.

Today, the law from 4 December 2012 modifying the Belgian Nationality Code with a view to making the aquisition of nationality neutral from an immigration point of view, was published.

This Eurostat news release shows that workers remittances amounted to 39.1 billion euro in 2011, up by 2% compared with 2010.

A press release of the national bank of Belgium indicates that the employment rate of persons born in a non-EU country is the lowest of all Member States, namely 45.8 % in 2011.

This recently published information sheet "EU Blue card: Highly qualified workers" provides information on beneficiaries, procedures, statuses, legal basis and appeals in this matter.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council, including the Belgian Ministers Joëlle Milquet and Annemie Turtelboom, and State Secretary Maggie De Block, met on 6 and 7 December 2012. The ministers also discussed issues concerning Immigration and Asylum.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

A "White Marriages" cell has been created in the Special Laws Division of the Brussels South police area. It has started its activities on 3 december 2012.

On 29th November in Paris, the French NCP organised a conference on the CEAS. The next day there was a EMN-Cluster Meeting on reception conditions for asylum seekers in the EU: "existing mechanisms and good practices”

The article, reveals that family-related migration is the main driver for Belgium’s recent transition to a country of permanent settlement, with significant numbers of foreign-born students, workers, and refugees.

In its letter to partners, CBAR BCHV wants to be informed of decisions and judgements refusing the examination of applications from applicants originating from "safe countries of origin".

In a strategic Communication adopted today, the Commission examines how the implementation and development of the common visa policy could help growth in the EU by facilitating travel opportunities for third country nationals willing to visit the EU.