SHOULD the European Union change its rules on family reunification of immigrants? The European Commission wants to know what you think before it decides.
The commission launched a public debate on November 15. Organisations, government and the general public are invited to have their say at ec.europa.eu/yourvoice before 1 March 2012.
Since 2003, rules specify the conditions under which family members of a non-EU citizen who is legally resident in a member state are allowed to enter and reside in the EU.
This round-table consultation comes two years after the commission issued a report outlining a series of problems in the implementation of family reunification directive in the member states. It identified a series of so-called integration measures as “problematic”.
According to Cecilia Malmstrom, the EU‘s commissioner for home affairs, family reunification helps an immigrant‘s integration into society because it gives them the possibility to have a family life. “I hope that all interested parties will participate in the consultation and share their experiences and opinions on how to have more effective rules on family reunification,” she said. “Member states are especially invited to outline and quantify the problems they claim to have with abuse of the current rules.”
The commission issued a so-called green paper (a discussion document intended to stimulate debate) on November 15. It contains a series of questions the public is invited to respond to by March. Questions include the following: Which immigrants should benefit from these EU rules? Should the right to family reunification be extended to other family members outside the core family? What about the problems experienced with forced marriages? What should the conditions be for family reunification?
Current rules
Family reunification accounts for a large though decreasing share of legal migration. About a decade ago, it made up more than 50 percent of the total EU-bound (legal) immigration. Today, it‘s about one-third.
Under current rules, immigrants have the right to sponsor their spouse and children if they have legally resided in the EU for “one year or more”. In Greece, it’s two years. Immigrants in Greece also have to show their income is “stable and regular” and sufficient to cover the needs of their family.
The definition of “family” under Greek law is as follows: a spouse over age 18; if there are children, they must be unmarried and under 18. Greek law does not recognise polygamous marriages or same-sex couples.
- The commission is organising a public hearing next year. All are invited to send their responses to this consultation in writing no later than March 1: Immigration and Integration Unit - ‘Green Paper on Family reunification
- Directorate-General Home Affairs European Commission B-1049 Brussels
- Or send an email to HOME-family-reunification-
green-paper@ec.europa.eu - All contributions will be published on the EU‘s web portal “Your Voice in Europe” at http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/
consultations/index_en.htm
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