Belgium passes controversial law allowing police to enter homes to detain undocumented migrants

The Belgian Parliament has approved a new law authorizing police to enter private residences to arrest undocumented foreign nationals. The measure applies to individuals who have received an order to leave the country but have refused to comply, and who are considered a threat to public order. Under the new legislation, police operations must occur between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and require prior authorization from an investigative judge. Officers are permitted to use locksmiths to gain entry and may also search the homes of third parties hosting the individuals in question. While the government claims this fills a legal gap, the law has sparked significant criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, which warns of privacy violations and potential psychological distress for children. Protests have occurred in multiple Belgian cities, and the national Bar Association has signaled its intent to challenge the constitutionality of the measure in court.