This summer's extended hunger strike by undocumented migrants in Belgium revealed the shortcomings of the Belgian administration in terms of integration processes for all foreigners. InfoMigrants looks at the different options for living legally in the country.
The European Court of Auditors has published a report saying that more sharing of data between EU nations would help to counter migrant trafficking.
The Belgian government announced a breakthrough on Wednesday, as hundreds of migrants stopped their hunger strike in Brussels after authorities signalled their willingness to renegotiate the situation. However, it is not clear if they will ultimately gain the right to remain in the country.
Fears continue to grow for the health of hundreds of undocumented migrants in Belgium who have stepped up a hunger strike aimed at getting the authorities to let them stay. The migrants have been refusing to eat for two months.
Concerns are growing over a hunger strike by hundreds of undocumented migrants in Belgium's capital. Four men have stitched their lips together in protest against the authorities' refusal to grant them legal status.
The European Union Agency for Asylum is intended to make the bloc's asylum procedures more efficient and uniform.
The European Commission has launched an initiative to attract talent and strengthen partnerships on migration with third countries. "Replacing irregular migration with legal pathways should be our strategic objective," Home Affairs European Commissioner Ylva Johansson stressed.
Eurostat has said that non-EU citizens residing in the bloc had an employment rate of 57.2%, lower than that of national citizens and EU nationals.
The European Parliament has adopted a report calling for better protection of migrants from human rights violations. A narrow majority voted in favor of the paper, which states that the EU commission and some EU countries overuse informal migrant return agreements.
Belgium authorities have brought 49 mostly Vietnamese migrants to shore after their boat ran into difficulties, according to an official. They were trying to reach the UK and it is thought they set off from France.
Fedasil, the federal agency for the reception of asylum seekers in Belgium, announced on April 24 that it would investigate the Jalhay center for asylum seekers, near Liège. There have been reports of dilapidated premises, threats, and neglect of health care.
The bloc's plans are part of a larger reform package on migration. The strategy includes smoother legal procedures to deport the rejected migrants and the use of visa restrictions to convince countries to take them back.