Approximately 1,600 people are said to be currently waiting for a response from the government after submitting applications for family reunification. In several European countries, the conditions have been tightened in recent years, says Immigration Minister Léon Gloden:
“One could abolish family reunification for subsidiary protection, which means people from a recognised war zone, in this case Syria. We haven’t done that. Germany has – it suspended family reunification for two years. We don’t want to do this.”
People who receive the status of beneficiary of international protection (BIP) in Luxembourg can apply to have their family members join them. These family members can then receive a “titre de sejour”, or residence permit.
When such family members arrive in Luxembourg, some of them don’t just want a residence permit – they also want to obtain refugee status. That’s because applying for it comes with an advantage: it allows them to be placed in an ONA structure, ideally even with the family member who is the BPI and already housed in such a facility.
However, the accommodation belonging to the ONA is currently 98% full, which puts pressure on the government to enact change.
“If someone holds BIP status, they may bring their children under the age of 18 and their partner to Luxembourg, provided the relationship with that partner existed at the time they applied for BIP status. Children over 18 and other family members, such as grandparents, may still come to Luxembourg, but they are subject to the same conditions as other third-country nationals; this includes requirements for accommodation and sufficient financial means.”
Marion Duboi, from the charity Passerell, disagrees with the suggestion that the new law will create more space in the shelters.
“These are not the people who are taking up space in accommodation facilities. It’s asylum seekers, period. And in fact, the people who are primarily seeking family reunification are minors and spouses, for whom we are not going to restrict access to family reunification for the time being.”
The majority of consultations at Passerell are regarding family reunification. It is a long and difficult procedure, and the charity does not understand the need to make it even more difficult.
“I absolutely do not deny the challenges the government faces in housing asylum seekers, or the housing crisis more broadly. It’s catastrophic. But for us, the solution does not lie in restricting the fundamental rights of people living here.”
“Everyone should still have the possibility to bring their closest family members to Luxembourg,” emphasised Léon Gloden, “but beyond that, it won’t be possible – unless one is financially self-sufficient,” the minister added.
In September, the draft bill will be presented to the relevant Chamber committee for the first time.
