Immigration and Naturalization Service Knew ‘Family Reunification on Family Reunification’ Rarely Happened in Summer
News & Politics • June 8, 2024, 12:09
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) had data last summer showing that asylum seekers hardly ever bring distant relatives to the Netherlands. VVD leader and outgoing Minister of Justice Dilan Yesilgöz stated during the election campaign that ‘family reunification on family reunification’ often occurred.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service had data last summer showing that asylum seekers hardly ever bring distant relatives to the Netherlands. The IND did not share the data, stating that they did not provide a complete picture, according to State Secretary Eric van der Burg in response to an information request from the Second Chamber. The data from the incomplete report in August, about a month after the fall of the cabinet, largely corresponded to the final figures. The IND released these figures in February. The issue revolves around what is called stacked family reunification. Direct family members of a refugee who receives a residence permit are allowed to come to the Netherlands. They can then also apply for asylum. If that application is granted, the accompanying family members from the home country can also come over. GreenLeft-PvdA calls for a debate.
During last year’s Second Chamber elections, this phenomenon was called ‘family reunification on family reunification on family reunification.’ VVD leader Yeşilgöz stated a few days before the election in an interview with De Volkskrant that it ‘involves thousands of people – we do not know the exact number.’ In February, it became clear that the numbers were much lower. The IND then published figures on the number of applications and the number of residence permits issued. Between 2019 and 2023, 880 accompanying family members applied for asylum, of which 350 residence permits were granted. After these figures were released, some members of the Second Chamber sought clarification on the discrepancy between the numbers and Yeşilgöz’s statements before the Second Chamber elections. GreenLeft-PvdA Member of Parliament Kati Piri announced on X that she wants to have a debate on this issue again.
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