Integration tests 'discriminate'
The Dutch policy of forcing certain categories of immigrants to take special citizenship tests before coming to the Netherlands is discriminatory because it only applies to so-called ‘non-western’ newcomers, according to Human Rights Watch. But immigrants from countries like Turkey, Morocco and China have to pass the language and culture knowledge exam, which costs €350, before their arrival, even if they are coming to join family members. ‘It sends the message that certain groups are not welcome,’ said the organisation’s spokeswoman Holly Cartner. ‘And it risks alienating these communities instead of facilitating their integration.’ A government spokeswoman told AP news agency that the policy had been thoroughly debated in parliament before its introduction in 2006.
Discover Related
Wanted: non-EU nationals’ experiences of life in the Netherlands
US embassy "asks NL suppliers to confirm anti-diversity stand"
Dutch attitudes to migration more nuanced than political debate
Majority of Dutch see ‘moral duty’ to shelter war refugees, SCP reports
Test variations spark debate: are Dutch transition exams fair to all students?
Dutch advocacy group warns transgender people against U.S. travel
Netherlands tightens U.S. travel warning, especially for LGBTQ visitors
Fewer safe third country nationals apply for asylum in NL
Judge rules Dutch citizenship cannot be stripped based on dual nationality
NSC and GroenLinks-PvdA push to tighten highly-skilled labor migration rules
What citizenship laws do countries follow? | Explained
Sharp drop in refugees applying for asylum in the Netherlands
Dutch Cabinet pleased with new strict asylum measures; Plan set to go to Parliament
NL can send third-party nationals from Ukraine back home
EU Court: Netherlands can return some third-country nationals displaced by Ukraine war
Strict asylum measures to be debated, voted on by Dutch Cabinet members on Friday
MPs agree to register cultural, religious values of immigrants
Coalition MPs back stripping anti-Semites of Dutch nationality
Dutch government led by hard right asks for formal opt-out from EU migration rules
Dutch government led by hard right asks for formal opt-out from EU migration rules
Third-country nationals can collect a Dutch residency sticker starting May 6
"Stop inciting foreigner hatred": UN housing rapporteur
The Netherlands ordered 275 British nationals to leave last year