A Dutch church group, Kerkasiel Kampen, delivered 120,000 handwritten letters to the Dutch Parliament’s Committee on Asylum and Migration, advocating for residency permits for approximately 420 children of asylum seekers facing potential deportation. The children, many of whom have lived in the Netherlands for years and are well-integrated into society, are currently without legal status. A demonstration involving hundreds of supporters, including clergy dressed in white, took place in The Hague prior to the letter delivery, calling for a more humane asylum policy. The initiative began in November 2024 with the group sheltering a family from Uzbekistan facing deportation and quickly gained widespread support through a call for “support cards.” Organizers state the large volume of letters underscores public concern and the urgent need for a solution that respects the children’s rights. They emphasize that these children have built lives in the Netherlands and deserve a secure future.
