Belgium’s Immigration Office has taken a major operational step by beginning to train its own personnel to accompany foreign nationals during forced-return flights. Until now, escort duties were carried out exclusively by the federal aviation police, whose limited manpower often created month-long bottlenecks between a final removal order and the actual departure date. Fourteen recruits started an intensive programme on 14 September 2026 at the PAULO police academy in East Flanders. The curriculum covers Belgian and EU legal frameworks, human-rights standards, de-escalation techniques, and the physical and psychological stresses of long-haul removals. Trainees will later complete practicums alongside the aviation police before receiving field accreditation. Asylum & Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, who attended the first drills, said the new corps should cut average waiting times for deportations from “well over a month to about 10 days,” freeing space in closed detention centres and easing crowding in Belgian prisons. The ministry also expects savings on overtime paid to police officers seconded from regular duties. For companies that sponsor foreign staff, the move signals a stricter enforcement climate. Employers should re-check the status of workers whose residence permits have expired, as on-site checks and workplace raids could rise once new escort capacity comes online. Mobility managers are advised to keep appeals or voluntary-departure options ready, because once an escort team is assigned, removal is likely to follow swiftly.
Source: The Brussels Times
