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EMN Synthesis Report "Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 2016" ,
Source: BAMF
The EMN Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 2016 provides an overview of the main legal and policy developments in the policy areas of migration and asylum taking place at EU level and within participating countries. The Annual Report was prepared on the basis of National Contributions from 24 EMN NCPs according to a Common Specifications Template developed by the EMN and followed by EMN NCPs to ensure, to the extent possible, comparability. The following key points were identified:
International Protection and Asylum
In many Member States, asylum policies changed at the national level. Some Member States adopted measures to facilitate access to the territory for asylum seekers by authorising the submission of applications in third countries in cases of relocation and resettlement, whereas others restricted such access through the creation of transit zones at the border for the processing of asylum claims; others introduced changes to the organisation of national reception systems such as in Germany. In addition, in order to speed up decision-making some Member States expanded their national list of safe countries of origin.
Member States also continued to relocate applicants from Italy and Greece (5,208 relocations from Italy and 11,421 from Greece as of 13 April 2017).
Unaccompanied Minors (UAMS) and other vulnerable groups
Around 30% of asylum applicants in the EU in 2016 were children, many of them unaccompanied. Half of the (Member) States reported on the adoption of new legislative/ policy measures in 2016 aiming to safeguard the rights and welfare of unaccompanied minors. In addition, several Member States introduced changes to policies/ practices targeting other vulnerable groups, inter alia, victims of trafficking in human beings, victims of domestic violence, LGBT, pregnant women or people with disabilities.
Legal Migration
Several Member States reported on efforts to attract highly qualified workers as part of the global competition for talent. Initiatives to make entry conditions more favourable for particular shortage occupations were adopted in several Member States. A few countries reported activities to prevent and manage misuse of the legal immigration channels by third-country national workers. Member States introduced measures to facilitate the admission and stay of third-country students and researchers aimed at: providing access to the national labour market during studies and after graduation or by addressing misuse of the student route to migration. Some Member States such as Austria, Germany or Sweden planned or introduced legislative measures that restricted the family reunification rights of certain groups, such as refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.
Integration
In June 2016, the Commission adopted an Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals. The Action Plan devised a comprehensive framework to support Member States' efforts in developing and strengthening their integration policies, with a focus also on refugee integration.
Member States have continued to implement measures to promote integration through participation, including by enhancing access to rights and clarifying obligations, in order to achieve equal treatment and foster a sense of belonging among migrants. For instance, measures were adopted to improve attainment in the education system and to enhance migrants’ language skills, especially through the introduction or continuation of language courses for adults and children. Estonia and the UK introduced measures to provide for compulsory language learning.
Border Control, irregular Migration and Return
At EU level important developments against irregular immigration took place, such as the establishment of a European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC). A substantial number of Member States introduced or planned new border control measures in line with the Schengen Borders Code. Thirteen Member States reported the establishment or continuation of cooperation agreements with third countries in the area of border management.
Several Member States modified their return procedure, including stricter return policies. In Sweden a person who has applied for asylum and received a refusal of entry or an expulsion order is no longer entitled to accommodation and/or daily allowance after the deadline for voluntary return has expired. Several Member States reported on their (planned) negotiation and/or signature of protocols implement EU readmission agreements with third countries.
Actions Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings
Member States either expanded or launched new national action plans, strategies or legal instruments in the area of Trafficking in Human Beings.
The Synthesis Report is only available in English.