Theo Francken: “Belgium is once again a Valhalla for mass migration”

The Immigration Office (DVZ) has published its annual report for 2022. The figures show that Belgium is and remains a real magnet for migration, including through family reunification. On top of that, it appears that the return figures continue to be dramatically low. “Appalling,” says MP Theo Francken. The De Croo government, and certainly State Secretary de Moor, are making this country a Valhalla for migration because of their soft approach.”

“The figures for 2022 show that Secretary of State de Moor is not following my good advice to make maximum use of dissuasion. The year peaked with no fewer than 37,000 asylum applications, 87% of which were new applications. Belgium is and will remain a European magnet for migration,” says Theo, who also read in the report that 2022 was also a peak year in terms of family reunification. “With 20,470 applications and more than 11,000 positive decisions, the gateway of family reunification proves once again to be a very important legal passage to our country for third-country nationals. The federal government remains naive in this regard. Therefore, without a moratorium on family reunification with subsidiary protection and a tightening of family reunification with recognised refugees, we will continue to fight a losing battle.”

Record number of family members of refugees

The number of refugees bringing relatives to our country breaks all records, with 5,552 applications and 3,269 visas approved, mostly Syrians and Afghans. Intra-European migration surpasses non-European migration. More than 72,000 Europeans applied for residency in Belgium in 2022. The vast majority were granted. Barely 2,200 applications were refused.

The number of applications for short-term visas, tourism and family visits exploded from 10,000 in 2021 to 53,000 in 2022, of which no fewer than 43,000 were refused. Positive, says Francken: “Fortunately, the Immigration Office does continue to keep a strict watch over that border.”

The return figures are “appalling”

Francken is also dissatisfied with the federal government’s return policy: “The return figures have increased since the coronavirus crisis, but remain dramatically low,” he explains. “The vast majority of illegal migrants can thus remain in the country, which leads to a huge pull effect.” Barely 3,000 people returned forcibly last year, and of the individual adults and families with children, a total of 1,396 intake invitations were sent out, with 502 showing up at these intake interviews. 98 migrants finally returned voluntarily in 2022. “That is appalling,” says Francken.

Valhalla for migrants

“After the coronavirus crisis, Belgium has once again become a country of mass immigration,” Theo Francken concludes. “The Immigration Office is doing its best with what it has, but is groaning under the massive amount of asylum applications and a continuing shortage of staff. Secretary of State de Moor is turning this country into a Valhalla for migration because of her soft approach. And what about the bill? That’s for the hard-working taxpayer.”