BELGIUM (Soir) “It's a real scandal”: Anderlecht mayor furious after hotel opens to asylum seekers – The mayor of Anderlecht, the socialist Fabrice Cumps (PS), described on Thursday as a “real scandal” the opening several months ago of emergency reception places for asylum seekers in a hotel in his municipality. This is the Aviation Hotel, near the Gare du Midi.
GERMANY (DW) Germany’s Scholz heads to Central Asia in bid to expand ties – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sunday, kicking off his three-day trip to Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, Scholz is expected to sign several migration agreements with the Uzbek leader. Among them is a deal making it easier for skilled Uzbek workers to immigrate to Germany, while also facilitating the return of Uzbeks to their homeland if they are required to leave. There could also be an agreement on making it possible to deport rejected Afghan asylum-seekers in Germany back to Afghanistan via Uzbekistan.
ITALY (Euractiv) Italy’s Salvini risks six years in prison in migrant rescue prevention case – Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini risks six years in prison as he has been charged with kidnapping and neglect of duty by preventing the NGO vessel Open Arms from docking in Lampedusa in 2019.
NETHERLANDS (POLITICO) Dutch government announces ‘strictest asylum policy ever’ – Its plans, announced Friday [13 September] as a part of the ruling coalition’s program, include stricter border checks, “tit for tat” punishments of “troublemakers,” restrictions on family reunification that would bar adult children from joining their parents, and a focus on forced returns.
NETHERLANDS (Euronews) Dutch government to ask opt-out clause from EU asylum rules ‘as soon as possible’ – The Dutch government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof has confirmed its intention to ask “as soon as possible” for an opt-out clause from the European Union's migration and asylum rules, an unprecedented move from a founding member state.
NORWAY (Schengen News) Norway Introduces New Measures Aimed at Employing More Refugees – Norway is updating the Integration Act to improve refugee employment. The government will add more job-focused activities, include older refugees in the programme, and extend education time for refugees. People between 55 and 60 years old will now have the right to participate in the programme.
SWEDEN (Arab News) Sweden wants to pay immigrants up to $34,000 to return – As of 2026, immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries would be eligible to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000), up from the current 10,000 kronor, the right-wing government, which is propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, said in a statement.
UK (Guardian) ‘Inhumane’ treatment of migrants rounded up in UK’s failed Rwanda plan revealed – The “inhumane” treatment of migrants rounded up in a “futile” operation for the now scrapped Rwanda scheme, has been laid bare in testimonies from Home Office staff that reveal force was used against distressed detainees.
UK (Guardian) Eight people dead in attempt to cross Channel, say French authorities – The French maritime prefecture said 59 people were onboard the boat, which got into difficulty off the coast of France, and 51 of them were rescued. An investigation has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office.
UK (Guardian) Ex-police chief named head of UK’s border security command – The appointment of a former police chief to head the new border security command shows ministers are making serious attempts to stop unofficial Channel crossings rather than the “gimmicks” of the last government, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said.
UK/ITALY (EUobserver) UK ‘very interested’ in using Albania migration deal as a template – UK prime minister Keir Starmer is “very interested” in copying Italy’s arrangement to process asylum applications at offshore centres in Albania, Italian premier Giorgia Meloni told reporters on Monday (16 September).
