Minister plans stricter rules for deporting young offenders

Under new proposals from Minister Faber of Asylum and Migration, minor asylum seekers with residence permits convicted of public order offenses may lose their permits and be deported. This change is expected to be implemented in the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) guidelines within two weeks.

Currently, minors can only lose their asylum status if sentenced under adult law to at least six months of imprisonment, a decision based on past political choices not mandated by law. Faber intends for the IND to consider any serious crime conviction when deciding on residence permit revocations.

Offenses against public order could include hate speech, hacking, involvement in a terrorist organization, and public violence. Faber linked this policy change to a group rape case in Helmond, where five underage asylum seekers attacked a woman in late 2023.

Four have been sentenced to youth detention, and one was convicted of assault. Faber stated that the new measure is intended as a warning to others that such behavior will no longer be tolerated.

Source: NOS

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