Asylum crisis?

The Netherlands [ENA] "The Netherlands is Getting the Strictest Asylum Regime Ever" These words were said by Minister Faber some time ago, and naturally, she wanted to draw attention to the asylum crisis in the country. In fact, she didn’t just want to draw attention but explicitly stated that there is an asylum crisis in the Netherlands. The minister in question is the Dutch Minister for Migration and Asylum.

The current Dutch cabinet wanted to raise the alarm about the supposed asylum crisis in the country. But is this really possible? "Absolutely not," says Mark Klaassen, an university lecturer in Migration Law. He explains that "The Dutch Alien Act contains a kind of crisis provision that can be invoked in an emergency. However, that emergency law can only be used in very serious situations, such as in the case of war. Moreover, European law takes precedence over this emergency law, and asylum seekers can appeal to it, which the Netherlands is bound to adhere to. European law ranks higher than that of the Netherlands" (Source: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/nieuws/2024/08/kabinet-wil-asielcrisis-uitroepen-maar-wat-is-dat-eigenlijk).

Additionally, many experts see no need for such a call in the current situation. Nevertheless, the minister and the current government were resolute in their stance. Even after Prinsjesdag, the matter did not lose its importance. First, let me explain that every year on the third Tuesday of September, the government presents the next year's budget package to the king. After Prinsjesdag, this issue sparked serious discussion in the Dutch parliament. During the debates, it was also evident that the Prime Minister was extremely anxious. Personally, I have never seen a Dutch prime minister so nervous during a debate. Both the Prime Minister and the coalition parties faced heavy criticism from the opposition.

Geert Wilders, the leader of the right-wing party (PVV) which has a majority in parliament, also tried to respond fiercely to the criticisms. But is there really a need to sound the alarm in this regard? Is there truly an asylum crisis? According to experts, no, and the numbers don't support it either. In July 2024, 2,585 asylum seekers arrived in the Netherlands. This was 545 more than the previous month. Additionally, 915 people joined family members in the Netherlands, 15 fewer than in June 2024. In 2023, a total of 48,500 asylum seekers and their family members arrived. However, in July 2023, the total number was 4,530, and in 2022 it was 4,376. As can be seen, the number in 2024 has decreased compared to the previous two years.

Therefore, in my opinion, there is no foundation to declare an asylum crisis. In previous years, asylum status holders in the Netherlands were given priority for social housing. Under the new rules, this privilege has been revoked. They now have to wait in line like everyone else. This means they will have to remain in shelters intended for refugees while waiting. If more refugees continue to arrive, a real crisis could indeed emerge in the shelters. At that point, there could be a true asylum crisis. In short, in my opinion, the government is signaling a crisis it could create itself in the future.