Netherlands to Syrian Refugees: Return Home and Receive a Repatriation Bonus

ARK News.. Dutch media outlets have revealed that the Netherlands’ Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has rejected nearly 85% of the regular asylum applications submitted by Syrian refugees.

According to reports, the IND is currently processing around 17,000 pending Syrian asylum applications, with some applicants having lived in asylum centers for many years.

Sources indicate that the Dutch government is now urging Syrian refugees to return to their homeland, suggesting that losing their right to reside in the Netherlands has become almost certain.

The Dutch newspaper Trouw reported that the processing of Syrian applications was suspended for six months following the fall of the former Assad regime, adding that the government’s message is now unmistakably clear: “Return to your country — and receive a repatriation bonus.”

The newspaper added that since the beginning of this year, the Dutch government has been encouraging voluntary return by offering financial assistance of up to €5,000 for adults and €2,500 for minors, in exchange for renouncing residency rights or withdrawing asylum applications.

These developments come after the Dutch government announced in June that Syria is now considered sufficiently safe for the return of its citizens.

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