Asylum center in Ter Apel on brink of exceeding its legal capacity, faces fines
The asylum registration center in Ter Apel is once again on the brink of exceeding its legal capacity of 2,000 people, raising the risk of 50,000 euros fines per day for the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), according to De Telegraaf. In the night from Sunday to Monday, the center reportedly came within 23 people of being completely full.
COA has already paid more than 1.5 million euros in penalties to the municipality of Westerwolde after a court ruling that capped occupancy.
Caretaker Minister of Asylum and Migration David van Weel (VVD), who visited the Ter Apel center on Monday, compared the fluctuating numbers to “a beach bar. It can sometimes be extremely busy and then very quiet.” Van Weel stressed the problem lies in the outflow: “We cannot place people elsewhere in the country. Fortunately, inflow is lower, but the numbers here keep rising.”
His predecessor Marjolein Faber (PVV) set up so-called “reinforced supervision locations” (VTL) for disruptive asylum seekers, with measures such as mandatory reporting and mentors. But a majority in the Tweede Kamer wants stricter “process availability locations” (PBL), where offenders can be forced to remain on site. These remain unused after being struck down by a court earlier.
“I understand the caution, but we must really look at cases that continue to cause unrest in Westerwolde,” Van Weel told De Telegraaf, adding he is open to further measures such as ankle monitors. “I think the PBL is a good next step, so that troublemakers cannot leave the location.”
Van Weel said he wants the new asylum emergency laws to move quickly. The Tweede Kamer approved them before summer recess, but in the Eerste Kamer their fate is uncertain, with CDA and SGP votes decisive. A key point is reportedly whether illegal residence will be criminalized, now under review by the Raad van State.
