Figures released on 14 September show Belgium has forcibly returned 1,239 offenders lacking valid residence papers since January—already surpassing the previous annual record set in 2017. Most removals followed completion of prison sentences, with Morocco (233), Albania (195) and Algeria (138) topping the destination list. Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt credited closer coordination between the Justice Ministry, prison services and her own department, along with fresh bilateral return agreements, notably one signed with Algeria in April. The Immigration Office now places liaison officers in major prisons to prepare travel documents well before inmates’ release dates, minimising last-minute legal challenges. Human-rights groups have criticised the pace, arguing that consular cooperation is sometimes prioritised over individual risk assessments. The minister counters that each case still undergoes a proportionality test and that vulnerable profiles are exempted. For multinational employers, the data underline a less forgiving attitude toward irregular stay. Staff whose permits lapse because of project overruns or intra-EU travel gaps could face expedited removal if apprehended. Companies should audit compliance, especially for posted workers rotating in from non-EU projects.
Source: The Brussels Times
