Plans by the outgoing government to introduce tougher rules for family reunions among immigrants may not now go ahead, after a majority of MPs voted for the legislation to be put on hold pending the formation of a new cabinet.

Immigration minister Gerd Leers said earlier on Thursday it was too late to stop the plan coming into effect – which is due to happen on October 1. Reversing the plan will cost millions of euros and cause a great deal of extra work, the minister said.
In addition, if MPs had wanted to halt the plans, they should have declared them controversial after the out-going government collapsed, Leers pointed out.
New situation
However, MPs disagreed, with left-wing parties saying there is a new situation following the general election and the minister should respect this.
Leers has pledged to brief parliament on Friday about how he intends to deal with the motion which was not supported by the ruling VVD or anti-immigration PVV. He will first discuss the issue with other ministers in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
The new rules on family reunions would mean couples who are not married would no longer be able to bring in a partner to join them, although a special ruling would cover gay couples who cannot marry.
Adult children would no longer be covered by family reunion laws and couples would only be able to bring a partner to the Netherlands after one year. In addition, the ex-partner in a divorce would only be entitled to residency if the couple had been together for at least five years.
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