Pre-arrival integration 'less effective'

Pre-arrival integration 'less effective'
20 June 2003
AMSTERDAM — Despite government plans to force immigrants to learn the Dutch language and culture before they arrive in the Netherlands, integration classes are less effective and more expensive when given in the country of origin, the Immigration Ministry said on Friday.

The Christian Democrat CDA, Liberal VVD and Democrat D66 coalition is toughening up on immigration and believes compulsory integration classes are vital to ensure the smooth the transition into Dutch society.

The issue of immigration has become a political hot potato in the Netherlands in recent years. Maverick politician Pim Fortuyn keyed into growing discontent about the nation's immigration policy last year before his assassination in May 2002 shortly before the parliamentary elections which swept his LPF party into power.

The Christian Democrat CDA, Liberal VVD and LPF coalition government collapsed after just 87 days last year, but following the January 2003 election, the new CDA, VVD and Democrat D66 Cabinet remained committed to compulsory integration, particularly in the migrant's land of origin, and a continued reduction in the number of asylum seekers entering the country.

But the latest research carried out by the Immigration Ministry shows that it is more difficult to learn a language if the language is not in daily use around them. The demand that immigrants start integrating in their country of origin might also breach international law guaranteeing the right to family life, a Radio Netherlands report said.

The Labour PvdA shares the ministry's conclusions, with party spokesman Jeroen Dijsselbloem demanding the cabinet devise a realistic plan of integration that would rapidly improve the language education given to the nation's immigrants.

The integration classes are primarily aimed at Turkish and Moroccan immigrants who are entering the Netherlands to marry their partner. Other immigrants are not spared in the legislation however.

In a bid to restrict "family reunification" immigration, the government is stipulating that Dutch residents must earn 130 percent of the minimum wage and be at least 21 years old before being allowed to bring their partner to the Netherlands. Compulsory integration is also the mood of the moment.

The previous CDA, VVD and LPF government allocated more money in September last year to teaching Dutch to long-term immigrants in the Netherlands. Compulsory integration is also seen as a means to ensure that immigrants do not drop out of their course before its completion.

Meanwhile, European Affairs State Secretary Atzo Nicolai has confirmed the Netherlands is in favour of experimenting with the establishment of asylum seeker centres outside of the European Union. He said if an application for asylum is expected to take an extended amount of time, the refugee can be sent back to a shelter in the region of their land of origin.

The legal procedure in the Netherlands would proceed as normal, but if the request for asylum is approved, the refugee will then be transported to the Netherlands.

At the EU summit in Greece, Nicolai also suggested that asylum seekers should be given shelter outside EU borders, thereby reducing the number of immigrants, a Novum news report said.

But the proposal to set up the asylum seekers outside the EU met resistance from Germany and Sweden, as discussions continued at the Greek seaside resort of Porto Carras on Friday afternoon.

Britain was the first EU member state to submit the proposal to allow asylum seekers to request asylum in the EU, but stipulating that they be sent back to shelters outside of the EU while they await a decision.

The Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland and Austria have since voiced support for the idea, which would also see the establishment of entry and registration camps.

[Copyright Expatica News 2003]