Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

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THE NETHERLANDS
1.3 ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS
Institutions Responsible for Involuntary Return
The main source of migration policy in the Netherlands is the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). 9 The
Immigration and Naturalization Services (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst – IND) and the
Central Reception Organization for Asylum Seekers (Centraal Orgaan opvang Asielzoekers –
COA) are the executive governmental agencies under the responsibility of the MoJ.
The COA is responsible for the reception and distribution of basic provisions. Once asylum
seekers have been granted asylum, their reception and care fall under the responsibility of the
concerned municipality. The COA also implements special training programmes aimed at providing
skills perceived to be valuable in the country of origin. The government is considering
merging the COA’s registration of reception system with the aliens’ reporting system of the
Aliens Police.
The Dutch National Migration Institute (NMI) provides counselling to asylum seekers throughout
the proceedings about the possible consequences of a rejection of the asylum petition, and
the aliens’ obligation to leave in case of a negative decision.
The Royal Netherlands Military Constabulary (KMar) and the Aliens Police (part of the Immigration
Service, Vremdelingendienst) enforce expulsions in close cooperation with the IND,
concerned municipalities, the Alien Chambers and the Council of State. The Minister for Immigration
and Integration also takes some of the responsibility for the work of the Aliens Police
and the KMar.
The Immigration Service is part of the police force and is, therefore, under the responsibility of
the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations, although it implements the policy drafted by the
MoJ. The Vremdelingendienst has intensified its supervisory functions in order to achieve
improved results in combating illegal immigration and accelerating the repatriation of illegal
migrants. 10
In 1999 a collaboration agreement with all involved organizations was agreed upon. Since then,
an overall project manager has been appointed, leading to the establishment of consultation and
collaboration structures, which include regional interdisciplinary repatriation teams. 11
For the future, the government has decided that the Minister for Immigration and Integration
should be responsible for centrally managing the coordination and organization of returns. This
will require standardized national approaches and linked-up information systems, the costs and
logistics of which the government is currently assessing.
Operational Steps for Involuntary Return
Due to the accelerated procedure made possible under the Aliens Act, a growing number of
asylum seekers are ordered to leave the country. The Immigration and Naturalization Service
decides whether a case is placed in the accelerated procedure or in the regular procedure. In case