The European Migration Pact is now in effect after years of negotiation, aiming to give EU countries more control over migration. The Netherlands will prioritize processing asylum applications falling under the new pact, intending to expedite decisions for new arrivals. However, this prioritization is expected to lengthen wait times for individuals already within the asylum process. A recent podcast, “De Dag,” features interviews with asylum seekers – Boumi, Elmar, and Bushra – detailing the hardship of prolonged uncertainty while awaiting life-altering decisions. Els Klein Hofmeijer of Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland explains the causes of these delays and the potential impact of the new regulations on asylum seekers. The podcast explores the human consequences of the lengthy asylum procedures and the anticipated effects of the pact. It is available on NPO Luister and other podcast platforms.