Brussels – Europe and the Arabs

On Wednesday, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives' Committee on Internal Affairs voted on a law regarding home inspections. This vote followed amendments made to the text originally submitted by parties within the governing coalition.
Undocumented individuals who refuse to return to their home countries and pose a threat to public order could soon face police visits to their homes, provided an investigating judge grants authorization. According to the government, these home inspections are necessary to facilitate the deportation of hate preachers or criminals residing in the country illegally.
The amendments made to the bill—and approved by lawmakers yesterday—sparked dissatisfaction and anger among the opposition, particularly the far-right party Vlaams Belang. In a statement, Vlaams Belang MP Francesca Van Belleghem remarked: "Coalition negotiations have hollowed out this law, rendering it practically useless. There are an estimated 200,000 illegal immigrants in the country, yet the Immigration Office will conduct only a few dozen home inspections annually."
The law applies only to foreign nationals who pose a threat to public order or national security. Of the 2,052 address checks conducted in 2025, only 143 involved individuals falling into this category; of those, only 50 operations were actually carried out. The Immigration Office itself anticipates "only a few dozen cases annually"—representing less than 0.02% of the target group.
The problem lies in the "public order" requirement. Even Marc Bossuyt, the lawyer who drafted the legal framework for home inspections, reached this conclusion during committee hearings. Van Peleghem states: "He explicitly declared that requiring individuals to pose a threat to public order or national security—in addition to their illegal stay—would lead to further legal disputes, thereby rendering the deportation policy ineffective. His final verdict was equally clear: he advised scrapping the requirement."
"Illegal stay is an offense in itself"
Furthermore, amendments introduced by the majority parties this summer have made an already narrow law even more restrictive. "The 'committed' parties demanded further concessions, and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) yielded to that demand. Yet, illegal stay is an offense in itself," says Van Peleghem. "Action must be taken against anyone residing in the country illegally and ignoring a return order. Anyone ordered to leave the country must do so—not just those proven to pose a risk." For this reason, the Vlaams Belang party is tabling an amendment to remove the public order violation requirement.
More than two months ago, the Chamber of Representatives' Committee on Internal Affairs approved the bill at the first reading. This means that Members of Parliament can still modify the text through further amendments. At the time, Belgian media reported that the ruling "Les Engagés" party—for whom this measure had long been a contentious issue—intended to proceed with it. The party advocates for additional protections for minors and views it as problematic that the immigration department could submit the same request for home inspections to different investigating magistrates without presenting new evidence.
Then-Migration Minister Annelies Verlinden (of the New Flemish Alliance, or N-VA) stated: "We are optimistic about the legal possibilities the 'Return Law' will provide." The Reformist Movement (MR)—the other ruling party, representing French speakers—is not demanding amendments, but rather clarifications regarding the practical aspects of the issue. During hearings held prior to the committee's formation, a senior official from the Federal Judicial Police warned that the draft law granted officers too much room for interpretation.
Local Opposition
The issue of home inspections is highly sensitive in French-speaking Belgium. Around thirty municipalities in the region have publicly opposed the measure, including Charleroi, Verviers, and several municipalities in Brussels. The magazine *Le Vif* estimated that fifteen of the opposing municipalities are led by mayors from either the MR or "Les Engagés." In Flanders, by contrast, only Mortsel, Herselt, and Leuven have lodged protests so far. These municipalities argue that the draft law is excessively vague and, consequently, dangerous.
In any case, the opposition from local authorities is primarily symbolic and political in nature. Although... Local police fall under the authority of the mayor; however, this does not entitle the mayor to disregard a judge's order.
According to Asylum and Migration Minister Annelies Verlinden (of the New Flemish Alliance party), if a mayor refuses to authorize home raids in their jurisdiction, it would constitute a "flagrant disregard for democracy." She had previously warned: "Anyone who does so bears a grave responsibility if hate preachers, drug dealers, and rapists return to committing crimes while residing illegally."
Subsequently, Verlinden met with members of parliament from the governing coalition to discuss the matter and review the amendments approved by committee members yesterday evening, Wednesday.