More really sad sad news from within the Netherlands - the poorest people, people that come here looking for any opportunity and trying to earn enough to get food for their family - will now be forced to pay for their own deportation. how much sadder can it get?

By Bill | July 1, 2011 9:42 AM

Sanity is finally returning to the Netherlands.Now instead of encouraging illegals we are finally showing them the door.

By tony | July 1, 2011 10:07 AM

What does 'more sober' accommodation mean? Like a 'camp' maybe? Things are getting scary folks.

By Lisa | July 1, 2011 10:42 AM

What happens if, say, if an illegal immigrant has no job and his/her family lives in a poor country with no income either and the illegal immigrant still refuses to leave voluntarily? And what is a "more sober" accomodation? Barracks? Camp? The use of such vague wording is scary because it can end up justifying anything.

By Leon | July 1, 2011 11:41 AM

While I agree that this is very scary stuff and is teetering on the edge of an extremely slippery slope, it is the comment from Tony that frightens me the most. Once regular citizens start to accept this kind of behaviour, we are REALLY in trouble.

"First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." Martin Niemöller

By Jitterboogie | July 1, 2011 12:29 PM

How would/could this actually be enforced especially when most illegal imigrants come from outwith the EU and the excution of EU law is just not recognised or enforcable in any way? I cannot see how this can ever actually work or have I missed something?

By PhysicsMan | July 1, 2011 12:31 PM

It's just stupid to bill the family members, why should they be liable for other person's actions?
If my brother committed a crime and police cannot find him, then I go to jail? It's an exaggerated analogy but the principle is the same.

By Dario | July 1, 2011 1:13 PM

"Immigration minister Gerd Leers is also planning to set up special, ‘more sober’ accommodation for families with children who face deportation, the paper says"
Ah so this is where Wilder's concentration camps will come in handy? Or has everyone forgot about his little speech concerning this?

By Jason | July 1, 2011 4:53 PM

I hope the dutch government is also thinking about it's citizens in foreign countries. With a very large number in foreign prisons, have no mercy on them either. Should we also charge all those illegal dutch (boers) in South Africa? Or we should start thinking about reclaiming our God given land from the illegal occupants. A leopard hiding in sheep skin.
R.Forest.

By robert forest | July 1, 2011 6:31 PM

The very words "Illegal immigrants" is an oxymoron. Simply read the first word and the move makes sense.

By bet | July 1, 2011 6:32 PM

The billing of relatives and employers would only happen when they act as sponsors of short-term visits. Which is sensible police, as many relatives with Dutch citizenship with foreign relatives are pressed to send invitation letters so that people from outside EU can come here and stay illegally.

As for the "more sober" accommodations, I think we need to see what is the proposition. As much as I have pity on children, it is their parents who brought or gave birth to them in an illegal situation, and having a child shouldn't be a ticket to permanent residency (like US anchor babies).

By Andre L. | July 1, 2011 9:03 PM

Silly people are busy with illegal, immigrants,foreigners,...etc... leaving their main problems behind.
your so called police (task force) are found of exploiting citizens with their stupid tickets...and frustrating unarmed immigrants. ... handle the criminals within instead of runing after those who have effect on ur existece.

By D Smith | July 2, 2011 1:57 AM

I know a person who committed a crime: being in 9th month of pregnancy with Dutch, her residence permit was withdrawn because she had just lost her means of support, and after 3 years of working there as a knowledge migrant she became illegal. well, 'all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others'. Way to go, Netherlands!

By Bea | July 2, 2011 1:57 AM

In the interest of global citizenship, just open up the borders.

Is that the underlying objective?

By Hank Kemp | July 3, 2011 1:34 PM

'Looks like that in the future, all illegal immigrants should buy a return fare in case they get caught.

By The visitor | July 5, 2011 1:47 AM

I totally agree.
Spanish politicians have a lot to learn from Ducht Government.
Spain is an ONG and it only cause troubles.

By Peter | July 5, 2011 3:33 PM