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R 041341Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001068 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT LIFTS IMMIGRATION STALEMATE 
 
¶1. Summary: On July 17 the GOB agreed on new terms for 
dealing with the growing number of immigrants and 
asylum-seekers in Belgium.  The agreement puts a thorny 
political problem to rest for a while, and illustrates Prime 
Minister Herman Van Rompuy's talent for compromise in Belgian 
politics.  End Summary. 
 
BELGIUM'S IMMIGRATION PROBLEM 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2. Belgium's immigration policy is no more restrictive than 
that of most of its European neighbors.  However, a series of 
demonstrations in Brussels by undocumented immigrants and 
their Belgian supporters, including hunger strikes and stunts 
such as the occupation of cranes at building sites in 
downtown Brussels last year, put increasing pressure on the 
GOB to ease and expedite regularization of undocumented 
foreigners.  The government also faced (and continues to 
face) a shortage of housing for refugees, as it was trying to 
accommodate not only those waiting for a hearing on their 
applications, but also those who were appealing adverse 
decisions, were homeless after winning their cases, were 
unaccompanied minors and others.  Today, Belgium is home to 
some 971,500 foreign nationals (nine percent of the 
population) as well as an estimated 100,000 undocumented 
aliens.  In the year 2000, the GOB enacted a mass 
regularization of undocumented aliens and awarded some 50,000 
people residency permits. In recent years the GOB's more 
restrictive approach to immigration has reduced the number of 
persons seeking refuge in Belgium.  The Belgian Commissariat 
for Refugees awarded refugee status to roughly 2,500 people 
in 2008, while the Immigration Minister awarded residence 
permits to 8,639 undocumented aliens on humanitarian grounds 
that same year. 
 
CRITERIA FOR RESIDENCY 
---------------------- 
 
¶3. The GOB's agreement affects mainly those aliens already 
present and does not set rules for future arrivals. 
Applications for regularization must be submitted by December 
15, 2009.  On a case by case basis, aliens who meet the 
following criteria can receive residence status: 
 
-- Those whose applications for asylum or residence have not 
been acted on within five years. 
 
-- Those who have put down family, social or economic roots 
in Belgium. 
 
-- Those who have lived in Belgium since March 31, 2007 and 
can show they have employment or an offer of employment. 
 
-- Those who can show humanitarian reasons and are among the 
"most vulnerable." 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶4. Prime Minister Van Rompuy let it be known in early July 
that he would not allow the government's budget process to 
proceed until a solution to the question of undocumented 
immigrants was found.  When he took office in December 2008, 
he had promised to find a solution to the immigration 
stalemate.  Disagreements between francophone and Flemish 
ministers prevented action until Van Rompuy's ultimatum. 
Immigration Minister Annemie Turtelboom (Open VLD), who has 
moved to Minister of Interior in the post-election government 
reshuffle, lost considerable political capital for her 
ineffectiveness in dealing with the problem.  Socialist 
Minister of Integration, Marie Arena, had pushed for 
regularization of as many undocumented as possible, and was@mpromise with Turtelboopoliticians are often aQ 
ofrussels a the June regional elecior WathelQt and Philippe 
Courard, respectively) opened Qp room for a compromise.  The 
agreement reached by the Belgian cabinet has triggered some 
neative reactions from politicians in Holland whofear that 
Belgium's unilateral decision wiQl attract scores of new 
immigrants to the Netherlands as well as Belgium.  Belgian 
officialsbelieve that some 25,000 undocumented persons wQll 
qualify for permanent residence under the Qew legislation. 
The agreement is a victory for Herman Van Rompuy as Prime 
Minister and illustrates his ability to find compromise -- 
one talent that is greatly prized among Belgian politicians. 
The July 17 agreement will not fully solve Belgium's problems 
with illegal immigration, but it will at least allow the GOB 
 
BRUSSELS 00001068  002 OF 002 
 
 
to carry on after the summer recess period.  End comment. 
 
BUSH 
.