Belgium authorizes police to detain illegal immigrants at home

Belgium has approved a legislative proposal allowing police to enter homes to detain undocumented immigrants, a move criticized by leftist parties and human rights organizations. The law permits police, accompanied by immigration officials, to enter residences of individuals subject to expulsion orders, especially those deemed a threat to public order or national security. Police may need a locksmith to access homes, but entry requires prior judicial authorization. The Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, called the law 'historic' and defended it against accusations of witch hunts against undocumented immigrants. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, argue that the law threatens fundamental freedoms and conflates immigration status with criminality, raising concerns about privacy violations.