Vlaams Belang advocates for a large return hub at Ostend Airport

The opposition party Vlaams Belang has proposed the construction of an additional closed return center at Ostend Airport in Belgium. The party suggests this facility would serve as a "large remigration hub" to detain individuals without valid residency papers, aiming to expedite their deportation.

Party leader Tom Van Grieken stated that the center would consolidate all steps of the return policy. He envisioned a specialized "illegalenpolitie" (illegal immigrants police) actively tracking down and bringing undocumented individuals directly to the center. The proposal also includes detaining those intercepted at sea or arrested on the streets, preventing their release.

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one large remigration hub

"Those found in Antwerp, Brussels, Leuven, or any other place in this country will no longer receive a stern warning or a worthless piece of paper," Van Grieken declared at a party event in Ostend. Vlaams Belang argues that from Ostend, return flights could be easily organized directly to the country of origin or to safe third countries with which return agreements exist.

However, the practical implementation faces significant hurdles. Effective return requires agreements with countries of origin, which are scarce. This challenge mirrors difficulties faced by the current government and previous administrations. The proposal also echoes the party's earlier suggestion to establish an "illegalenpolitie," inspired by the controversial US ICE agency, to actively pursue and arrest undocumented migrants. The party emphasized its opposition to the use of violence and weapon abuse in such operations.

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Those found in Antwerp, Brussels, Leuven, or any other place in this country will no longer receive a stern warning or a worthless piece of paper.