Belgium has enacted a contentious new law granting police the authority to carry out dawn raids on private residences as part of immigration enforcement efforts. The legislation, passed by the New Flemish Alliance-led coalition government, allows officers to enter homes between 5 am and 9 am to detain individuals subject to deportation orders.
Expanded Enforcement Powers
The law significantly broadens police powers by permitting raids not just on the homes of migrants themselves, but also on residences of friends or relatives suspected of harboring those with deportation orders. According to reports from EU-funded Infomigrants, this marks a substantial shift in Belgium’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Political Backing and Public Support
Despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties who compared the measures to U.S. ICE tactics under the Trump administration, the legislation maintained strong political and public support. A survey by human rights group 11.11.11, cited by the Brussels Times, found 53% of Belgians approved of the government’s approach.
Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt defended the law as necessary for public safety, stating, “Anyone residing here illegally who poses a threat to public order or national security must be able to be removed from the country.” She emphasized that authorities should no longer be “powerless” when individuals evade deportation by remaining in private homes.
Local Resistance and Federal Warning
The minister issued a stern warning to local officials who might resist implementation, saying, “If you refuse to cooperate and things go wrong, do not point the finger at the federal level afterward.” This comes amid reports that some mayors have expressed reluctance to enforce the new measures.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
The home raid provision forms part of Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s wider immigration restrictions, including plans to limit family reunification visas and impose a five-year waiting period for social benefits eligibility. Van Bossuyt recently traveled to Cameroon to discourage potential migrants, stating that Belgium rejects most visa and asylum applications.
The move aligns with broader EU policy shifts, including recent rule changes allowing member states to establish deportation processing centers in non-EU countries – an approach championed by Italy’s conservative government under Giorgia Meloni.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/11/10/belgium-passes-law-allowing-police-raids-on-homes-for-immigration-enforcement/