Asylum distribution law created more shelters; Far-right leaders joining Helmond protest
The Asylum Distribution Law resulted in more asylum shelters and a better distribution of reception locations, despite the government’s plans to scrap the law resulting in confusion and resistance among locals, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) reported on Tuesday. This evening, far-right politicians Geert Wilders (PVV) and Thierry Baudet (FvD) will join a protest against a shelter for children in Helmond.
The Asylum Distribution Law obliged municipalities to create a total of 101,500 shelter spaces by today, 1 July 2025. According to the COA, the municipalities achieved that target by three quarters, creating 74,500 shelter spaces. “The numbers from the distribution decision have not yet been achieved, but the law has undeniably brought movement to asylum reception,” the COA said.
Since the Asylum Distribution Act took effect, the COA has been in talks with 50 new municipalities about specific locations. Only a quarter of the 342 Dutch municipalities have made no effort to achieve the targets set by the law. “In the past year and a half, a net of 10,000 places have been added, and the COA expects approximately 7,500 more in the coming six months.”
About half of the shelter spaces involve temporary shelters. The COA appealed for structural funding in order to create long-term shelters and stabilize asylum reception in the Netherlands. The COA also pleaded with politicians not to scrap the Asylum Distribution Act.
“We see that a lot has been set in motion thanks to the law, and that is progress. The shelter is better distributed, there is a joint working method, and more municipalities are participating. It is not enough yet, we see that too. We are still too dependent on emergency shelter. We know from practice that developing regular locations takes time,” COA board chairman Milo Schoenmaker said. “So give the Distribution Act time to do its work.”
Helmond protest
The creation of the new asylum shelters has been far from easy, with vehement and sometimes violent protests in several municipalities, especially after the now-collapsed Schoof I Cabinet announced its plans to scrap the Asylum Distribution Law. Former PVV Minister Marjolein Faber of Asylum never got that far before her party leader, Geert Wilders, pulled the plug on the Cabinet, but the far-right party is still committed to not opening any more shelters for people fleeing war and persecution.
This evening, Wilders and Thierry Baudet, the leader of the other far-right party, FvD, will join a protest against plans for a second shelter for child asylum seekers in Helmond. The protest will start at 6:00 p.m. at the municipal hall, where the city council will have its final meeting before the summer recess.
Protest organizer Kayleigh Spruijt is delighted that Wilders and Baudet will come to the demonstration. “When we started organizing four weeks ago, we could not have dreamed that it would become so big. We are super proud that this is getting from national politics. The support is really great, but we are here as Helmond residents, for Helmond,” she told AD. “We already have enough nuisance in Helmond, and there is a shortage of housing. The municipality’s policy is failing.”
