New law on home entry approved by the House: “A historic breakthrough”

The bill allowing authorities to enter the homes of people staying in the country illegally who refuse to cooperate with their return and pose a threat to public order or national security has just been approved by Parliament at second reading. The text will now go before the plenary session for final approval.

“After all the scaremongering and misinformation, we finally have a breakthrough,” said Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

Under the new rules, authorities will be able to enter a home, with the authorisation of an investigating judge, in order to arrest someone for the purpose of removal. Until now, the police and the Immigration Office could find themselves faced with a closed door even when they knew the person concerned was inside.

Only for those who pose a threat to public order or national security

The new law will apply only to dangerous individuals staying in the country illegally who refuse to return and pose a threat to public order or national security.

“Think of convicted rapists who have served their sentence, or hate preachers. Until now, they could hide behind their front door. We are putting an end to that.”

Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt stresses that the target group is strictly defined.

“This is not a witch hunt against people who have been granted international protection, nor against people simply because they are staying in the country illegally. That impression has been wrongly created in recent months. The law sets out clear conditions, and a home can only be entered with the authorisation of an investigating judge.”

Call on local authorities not to put their own residents at risk

According to Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the measure is first and foremost about safety. She is therefore also addressing local authorities that have spoken out against home entries.

“Be fully aware of what that choice means. If you refuse to implement this law and something goes wrong, do not point the finger at the federal level afterwards. Because in that case, you will be putting the safety of your own residents at risk.”