Dutch lawmakers on Thursday approved two controversial bills aimed at tightening restrictions on asylum-seekers, despite concern from some MPs that the new measures could criminalise those offering humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants.
The legislation, passed by the lower house late Thursday evening, reduces the duration of temporary asylum residency permits from five years to three, halts the issuance of new asylum permits indefinitely, and imposes new restrictions on family reunification for recognised asylum recipients.
