Arizona takes action: tighter controls to tackle illegal immigration

The federal government has decided to step up targeted checks on Belgian territory, based on Article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code. This was announced by the Minister of Security and the Interior, Bernard Quintin (MR), and the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). These operations aim to tackle illegal immigration and secondary migration more effectively, that is, asylum seekers who already benefit from protection in another European country or whose application is still pending elsewhere. The measure involves stepping up checks at strategic locations within the national territory: motorway car parks, bus lines, sensitive rail sections such as the line between Dunkirk and De Panne, certain stations (including Brussels-South), as well as intra-Schengen flights from countries facing strong migratory pressure, such as Greece or Italy. These actions will be carried out in close coordination between the federal police, local police services and the Immigration Office, with the aim of better detecting irregular stays and criminal activities linked to these flows. "We are taking our responsibility by carrying out strict and targeted checks at strategic crossroads. In doing so, we combat illegal migration flows and prevent migratory pressure from shifting towards Belgium, while tackling crime more effectively to strengthen security on our territory," said Minister Quintin.