Belgian City Officials Call for Undocumented Migrant Regularization Amid Pandemic

The Ecolo-Groen-PS-sp.a majority is outraged by the ban on leaving the territory during this period of confinement. "I have decided not to make it a priority," declares Mariam El Hamidine, Alderman for Population.

"At the present time, the solidarity of all must lead to these citizens being able to regularize their situation and benefit from basic rights," firmly states Charles Spapens, First Alderman.

For the college of mayors and aldermen of Forest, emergency medical assistance must allow these people to receive care; which, in this period of health crisis where the risk of contamination is on a societal scale, is obviously crucial.

On March 18, the Office of Foreigners had canceled the registration of asylum seekers due to the coronavirus pandemic. This procedure has resumed on Tuesday, with a few adaptations due to the health crisis, Belga reports. From now on, any asylum seeker will have to fill out an online form.