NY ASYLPAKKE 13.11.2015 Udlændinge- integrations- og boligministeriet
Here are Denmarks planned asylum changes The Local November 16 2015
"The Danish Government has on 10 December presented a bill before the Danish Parliament which includes a number of different initiatives on asylum policy, including an initiative on seizing valuable assets.
The bill will go through Parliamentary debate in January and will enter into force after adoption by the Parliament. The bill is expected to be effective from February 2016.
The Danish Immigration Service shall ensure that asylum seekers receive the necessary support while their asylum applications are being considered. The support includes basic maintenance, health care and accommodation.
The basic aim is to ensure, that those who are in need, also receive the necessary support.
It follows from current rules that an asylum seeker, who brings sufficient means to take care of him- or herself, should not also receive support from the Immigration Service. The asylum seeker is obliged to inform on any means that the asylum seeker brings with him or her.
The bill presented on 10 December 2015 provides the Danish authorities with the power to search clothes and luggage of asylum seekers – and other migrants without a permit to stay in Denmark – with a view to finding assets which may cover the expenses mentioned above.
It is explicitly mentioned in the bill before Parliament that the new rule on seizure will only apply to cash above approximately 3,000 DKK and tangible assets of a considerable value. Thus, foreigners will always be able to keep assets which are necessary to maintain a modest standard of living, e.g. watches and mobile phones. In other words, the general principle of a minimum amount exempt from execution also applies in this context.
Furthermore, assets which have a certain personal, sentimental value to a foreigner will not, as a main rule, be seized. However, they may be seized if, taking into account the degree of personal, sentimental value and, on the other hand, the economic value of the assets, it is deemed inappropriate not to seize the assets. In general, this implies that only personal assets with a value which is considerably higher than 3,000 DKK will be seized. Assets of a personal, sentimental value may include e.g. wedding rings and jewelry.
The proposed rule also applies to refugees already in the country.
Europe currently receives a very high number of refugees. This put a pressure on all countries, including Denmark. Denmark does take a share. However, a too high number of refugees puts pressure on the Danish society and makes it more difficult to ensure a successful integration of those who come to Denmark. The Government has therefore decided to tighten Danish refugee policies."
13.11.2015 20:16
Changes to the regulations applied in the area of asylum
Europe is experiencing a large influx of refugees. That puts all countries under pressure – including Denmark. And the pressure is mounting day by day.
We assume our responsibility in this situation. But we should not take in so many refugees that it threatens the cohesion of our country. The number of refugees has an impact on the ability to ensure a successful integration. And it has an impact on our ability to maintain a good and secure society.
It has long been the government’s position that the terms and conditions applied in the area of asylum have an impact on how attractive Denmark is to asylum seekers. That is why the government, as one of its first political initiatives, introduced new and reduced benefits for asylum seekers. And that is why the government is now carrying out further initiatives to tighten the conditions for asylum and reduce the access to Denmark.
1. Limiting the duration of residence permits granted to refugees
2. Postponing of the right to family reunification for refugees with temporary
protection
3. Tightening the conditions for permanent residence permit
4. Tightening the rules on revoking refugees’ residence permits
5. Introducing fees for services
6. Increasing user charges for asylum seekers’ stay in Denmark
7. Enhancing control with financial means brought by asylum seekers
8. Reducing the number of people on food allowances by enhanced use of
cafeterias in asylum centers
9. Reducing economic benefits for asylum seekers
10. Rollback of strengthened asylum counselling
11. Rollback of the asylum agreement
12. Broadening of the integration allowance to include more people
13. Reforming the spouse reunification rules
14. Reintroducing the “potential for integration” criteria when choosing quota
refugees
15. Abolishing of the state funding of transport to people who are family reunified
with refugees living in Denmark
Return of rejected asylum seekers, etc.
The growth in the number of refugees to Europe puts pressure on member states' national asylum systems, accommodation facilities, etc. The pressure can be lowered if rejected asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are effectively returned to their countries of origin. There is therefore a need to strengthen the efforts both domestically and internationally, so the return of rejected asylum seekers happens at a faster pace and more efficiently.
16. Strengthened efforts to return rejected asylum seekers and other immigrants
without legal stay in Denmark to their home countries
17. Increased use of detention of rejected asylum seekers etc .
18. Shorter deadlines for the departure of rejected asylum seekers
19. Closer monitoring of foreigners in the departure centre
20. New departure centre at a distance from major cities
21. More consistent use of reporting requirements and stays duty
New possibilities for the authorities to expand accommodation and detention capacity
Growing numbers of refugees and migrants will put pressure on the existing capacity for accommodating and detaining foreigners.
The government will therefore empower relevant authorities to address these challenges should they arise.
22. Increased capacity for accommodation, including tents
23. Ability to derogate from the Planning Act concerning accommodation for asylum
seekers
24. Ability to make use of public property for asylum accommodation or detention
facilities in emergency cases without obtaining the owner's consent
25. Ability to make municipalities responsible for operating asylum centers
26. Possibility of requesting assistance from the private sector to assist with or
handle statutory tasks on immigration
New possibilities for the police to control foreigners’ entry and stay in Denmark and maintain law and order
If Denmark experiences a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants entering the country, it can challenge the ability of the police to control foreigners’ entry and stay in Denmark and the maintenance of law and order. It can increase the need to secure an efficient registration of asylum-seekers etc., including the grounds for the asylum application. At the same time, it is important that Denmark does not experience the chaotic situations that we have seen elsewhere.
The government therefore wishes to give the authorities special opportunities to handle these challenges if they occur.
27. Establishment of reception centres.
28. Opportunity to limit judicial review of detention of foreigners to cases where
judicial review is requested.
29. Opportunity to detain asylum seekers in order to clarify identity etc.
30. Tightened penalty for begging.
31. Opportunity to suspend operation of bus- train- and ferry-services.
Greater flexibility in allocation of refugee housing
The increased number of refugees arriving in Denmark makes it necessary to help the municipalities, who face local challenges. The municipalities have an obligation to and growing burden in finding suitable housing for individuals who are granted asylum. There are rules regarding housing standards, which may make it challenging to find adequate, suitable housing.
32. Relaxation of requirements concerning space etc. in the allocation of refugee
housing
33. Relaxation of the rules regarding noise and environment in the allocation of
refugee housing
34. A strengthened integration programme
All initiatives proposed by the government are compatible with the Danish constitution and Denmark’s obligations under international law.