New Austrian Law on Foreigners Enables Easier Deportation of Asylum Seekers to Croatia

The Austrian government has adopted a new tightened law on asylum seekers that has faced numerous criticisms, and its implementation could incur significant costs, Austrian media reported on Thursday.

“Additional staff and equipment required for the implementation of the new law will incur costs exceeding two million euros annually,” reported the Vienna daily Der Standard, citing the Ministry of the Interior.

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The new law on foreigners, specifically the part relating to asylum seekers, provides for the confiscation of money from future refugees and applicants in the amount of 840 euros, which should be used to partially cover the costs of processing asylum applications.

At the same time, their mobile phones would be analyzed to determine the exact route of arrival in Austria using geo data. Thus, if it is established that a refugee arrived in Austria via another EU country, they will be returned there according to the Dublin rule. Many refugees have previously arrived in Austria via Croatia.

Analyses show that this type of intensive verification, as further reported by Der Standard, is associated with high costs.

The new law provides for easier deportations of asylum seekers who violate the law. Acquiring Austrian citizenship for refugees will only be possible after ten years of residence in Austria instead of the previous six.

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“A strict and effective law should prevent the abuse of Austrian asylum rights,” said Austrian Minister Herbert Kickl from the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe).

“The new law will also have a preventive character. When it becomes known that we check whether refugees have money, many may decide to abandon this route,” said Austrian Vice Chancellor Christian Strache (FPOe).

Humanitarian organizations have criticized the new tightened law, deeming it inhumane.

“The new rules invade the private sphere of refugees and thus hinder their integration,” stated the organization “SOS Mensch.”