In the Czech Republic, a law could soon allow for the deportation of migrants after repeat criminal offenses. If passed, it would also limit access to asylum and temporary protection, according to Czech media reports.
On June 27, the Czech lower house of parliament reportedly passed a bill to tighten the country's asylum and migration rules. The government stated that this law is meant to better supervise applicants and make administrative tasks smoother.
The bill, which is currently pending at the Czech upper house of parliament, mostly aligns with the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, such as speeding up asylum processing and reducing deadlines for appeals, and includes important changes for migrants and foreign citizens living in the country.
That's according to reports by several Czech media outlets from late June.
One of the most debated parts of the bill reportedly lets authorities refuse temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees who already have it or had it in another EU country.
The bill also affects asylum seekers' daily lives. According to the Czech news website Expats.cz, officials can now assign where they live or make them stay in specific centers. They might have fewer job options, and only get help with housing and basic food.
Stricter residency rules
Another measure of the draft law would give the government the power to cancel or not extend the residency of foreigners who are found guilty of three "serious misdemeanors" over the course of one year, Expats.cz reported.
These include breaking rules about public behavior, treating others with respect and protecting property. Examples are shoplifting, being drunk in public or fighting at sports events with fireworks.
According to Ct24, it was the right-wing populist opposition party ANO that had made the corresponding proposal.
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More rights for law enforcement
The law also reportedly gives police new ways to find and track foreigners who might be breaking immigration rules. If a foreigner doesn't show a proper ID, according to Expats.cz, the police can look at their phone data. The Interior Ministry reportedly says this is crucial for figuring out where someone is from.
Still, ANO and fellow right-wing populist opposition party Freedom and Direct Democracy reportedly voted against the draft law in June because they do not agree with the EU's system for sharing migrants, which is part of the larger agreement. The Pirate Party chose not to vote.
Lawmakers from the ruling coalition reportedly supported the legislation and helped it pass, reportedly with the support of 75 of the 134 members of Parliament present. The Senate and the president still need to approve the legislation.
According to Expats.cz, the law would also prevent deported individuals from reapplying for asylum in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Interior Ministry said the bill aims to process asylum applications more efficiently while keeping public order and safety.