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Policies You Should Know About: New Dutch Anti-Migration Bill


Geert Wilders speaking at a podium with "europarl.eu" visible. Blue background with text. Serious expression, wearing a suit and blue tie.
Geert Wilders, founder of the Freedom Party (PVV). Wilders’ refusal to compromise on strict anti-immigration legislation caused political instability in the Dutch cabinet on the 3rd of July when he walked out of a second Chambers meeting. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)


On Thursday, the 3rd of July, the Dutch Second Chamber representatives were called to vote on some amendments to the migration and asylum-seekers law.


The Freedom Party (PVV), spearheaded by Geert Wilders, won a majority in the 2023 elections and had promised to promote a stricter migration policy. The majority coalition between the PVV, VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy), BBB (Farmer-Citizen Movement), and the NSC (New Social Contract) could not come to terms with Wilders’ strict, far-right migration policy projects, until Geert Wilders walked out of the government and left PM Dick Schoof without PVV’s support. 


The government disintegrated but the legislative workings continue ad interim until a new government is voted in in October 2025. In the meantime, the Chambers have begun drafting the amendments, which will be voted on and implemented after the summer recess. The Asylum Emergency Measures Act, as proposed by former Minister Faber, stipulates tightened residence permits and further criminalises undocumented migrants.


Specifically, residence permits have been shortened from five to three years and temporary asylum permits will be reassessed periodically every three years. Even more preoccupying are the voices that intend to criminalize undocumented migrants and those who provide them with food and shelter. The Christian Democrats (CDA) have withdrawn their support, defending solidarity and humanity over the “law and order” rationale that the laws are trying to enforce.  


The second law, the Two Status System Act, attaches two different statuses to immigrants. Those fleeing from persecution due to political beliefs, sexual orientation, and religion will be granted asylum. In contrast, those who leave their country for wars and natural disasters will have a harder time entering the Netherlands and gaining an asylum permit. 


Notably, climate refugees, or environmental migrants, have been a growing force in the past decades, and the International Organization for Migration estimates around 200 million people to be displaced for climate and environmental disasters by 2050.


Civil society organizations and migration monitor centres, such as the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, define the Tweede Kamer’s (Second Chamber) decision as “controversial and counterproductive”. Further debate will follow these laws, of which definitiveness will be decided upon in autumn. 



Edited by Tatenda Dlali


Arianna Feola (she/her) is a student of International Relations based in the Netherlands and a writer at Political Pandora. Born and raised in Italy, she has a deep curiosity for cultural diversity, languages, and migratory movements. Her academic focus lies in the Middle East and North Africa region, where she explores the intersections of politics, economics, culture, religion, and identity.



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Keywords: Geert Wilders, Netherlands Migration Policy, Dutch Immigration Law, PVV Party Netherlands, VVD Netherlands, BBB Farmer-Citizen Movement, NSC New Social Contract, Asylum Emergency Measures Act, Residence Permit Changes, Criminalisation of Undocumented Migrants, Christian Democrats CDA, Two Status System Act, Climate Refugees, Environmental Migrants, International Organization for Migration, Dutch Asylum Policy, Refugee Rights Netherlands, Far-Right Politics Netherlands, Netherlands Government Collapse, Tweede Kamer Debate

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