Dutch Immigration Service Still Unable To Process Asylum Applications On Time - Reports

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is still unable to process asylum applications within the legal time frame despite the fact that its staff was increased in 2018, local media reported citing Junior Justice Minister Mark Harbers

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is still unable to process asylum applications within the legal time frame despite the fact that its staff was increased in 2018, local media reported citing Junior Justice Minister Mark Harbers.

According to DutchNews portal, Harbers said in the parliament on Thursday that it will probably take until 2021 for the IND to start processing asylum request on time.

The minister added that in 2018, the expected forecast on new asylum applications was exceeded by 5,500 requests and government spending cuts.

This has boosted waiting time for asylum seekers.

The Dutch immigration law prescribes that the IND is supposed to decide on whether to provide a refugee permit to an asylum seeker within six months after receiving the application.

Europe has been experiencing a migration crisis since 2015 due to the influx of thousands of migrants and refugees fleeing crises in their home countries in the middle East and North Africa. These migrants are trying to reach EU states using various routes, including via Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Balkans.