Leers: measures to stop Somali fraudsters successful

In the first months of 2011, fewer than 10% of applications for family reunification by Somalis were granted, which amounted to an average of just 30 people per month. By comparison, some 2,300 applications by people claiming to be family members of Somali asylum seekers - i.e. approximately a quarter of all applications submitted by Somalis − were approved in 2010.
 
In 2009 the IND uncovered widespread fraud by Somali asylum seekers and Somalis who followed them under family reunification rules. Somalis who had been granted asylum requested reunification with children and foster children who were not (or were no longer) members of their family. As a result, the rules have now been tightened and intensive interviews are held at embassies to establish whether people actually are related to the asylum seeker.

The measures introduced include posting IND staff to the embassy in Addis Ababa, where most applications by relatives are submitted. The IND staff investigate whether a family relationship actually exists and request additional evidence if necessary. If a relative gives an account at the embassy that is inconsistent with the statements made by the status holder in the Netherlands, or if insufficient evidence is provided, the application is denied. If an asylum seeker made no mention of relatives during the asylum procedure, it is assumed that no family relationship exists. At the Dutch embassy, applicants are also asked additional questions in order to establish their identity. Using simultaneous video conferencing technology, IND staff can question aliens from the embassy in Addis Ababa. If a foster child has been taken in by another family, the IND assumes that the family relationship with the asylum seeker has been severed.

In addition to the measures that have already been implemented, Mr Leers announced in his letter that the IND intends to take rapid and vigorous action to investigate potential fraud in all situations in which residence permits were issued prior to the introduction of these measures. In Somali cases, this means that the IND will be especially vigilant when asylum seekers who have already been admitted apply for permanent residence status or to have a family member admitted. Extra scrutiny will be applied in cases, for example, in which fingertip mutilation was an issue in the original admission procedure or in which a previous application for family reunification involved a person who turned out not to be a relative. Permits obtained by fraudulent means will be revoked if there is reason to do so.