The Belgian Parliament adopted the law on searching homes for undocumented migrants

Belgium’s Parliament adopted, at around 5:00 a.m. local time, a law allowing the homes of certain migrants to be searched as part of the plan by the coalition led by outgoing Prime Minister Bart De Wever to curb migration and increase the number of deportations.

The measure targets people whose asylum applications have been rejected, who have ignored an order to leave the country, or who are considered a threat to public safety. Searches may be carried out only with the approval of an investigating judge, between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., in the presence of the authorities responsible for immigration.

The law was adopted after a parliamentary debate that lasted throughout the night and amid widespread protests. Approximately 3,000 people formed a human chain around the Palace of Justice in Brussels on Wednesday evening, while more than 50 demonstrations and gatherings were organized in other cities.

Lawyers and human rights organizations strongly criticized the bill, arguing that police access to homes could violate constitutional rights and the right to privacy. Amnesty International urged lawmakers to reject the law, warning that it could also affect those who help undocumented migrants.

The Belgian government is defending the new instrument as necessary to enforce deportation orders in the case of people considered dangerous to public order or national security.