A Belgian bill allowing home entry to enforce certain migrant removals has cleared a second committee reading, while disagreement continues over its scope and safeguards. The proposal concerns people without lawful residence who refuse to cooperate with return procedures and are considered a threat to public order or national security. Committee approval does not itself put the power into force.
The migration minister’s statement of 7 October says the text proceeds to the House plenary for final approval. It describes prior authorisation from an investigating judge as a condition for entering a dwelling to arrest someone for removal.
Scope is the central point of contention
Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt argues that the proposal is narrowly directed at dangerous individuals who will not cooperate with return, rather than everyone who lacks residence status. That is the government’s explanation of the intended target group.
VRT’s report on 8 October records objections from opposition politicians, police representatives, investigating judges and lawyers. Their concerns include the breadth of the public-order and national-security concepts and the protection of children who may be present.
The minister says judges would assess the threat independently, see the full file and determine conditions for entry. VRT also reports an amendment extending the decision period from five days to seven.
A committee decision is not final enactment
The practical debate turns on both eligibility and execution: who can be subject to the measure, what evidence a judge receives and how an operation affects other occupants.
The sources reviewed describe the committee stage and a pending plenary step. They do not establish that all enactment and commencement requirements have been completed. The proposal should therefore be distinguished from powers already available to police.
