**Georgia Strengthens Immigration Laws to Combat Illegal Migration and Asylum Abuse**
The Georgian government has taken a significant step in tightening its immigration laws to prevent the abuse of the asylum procedure and combat illegal migration. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has prepared a legislative package, titled “On International Protection,” which aims to refine regulations related to granting international protection to foreigners or stateless persons.
According to the ministry’s statement, the legislative package has been submitted to the legislative body for consideration. This move comes in line with directives from the European Parliament and Council, highlighting Georgia’s commitment to aligning its laws with EU standards.
**Tougher Penalties for Migrants and Asylum Seekers**
The proposed amendments introduce stricter penalties for migrants who violate Georgian law. A new form of punishment has been added to the Criminal Code: deportation of a foreigner from Georgia and prohibition of entry into the country for a specified period. Additionally, administrative fines will increase for foreigners who break the rules governing their stay in Georgia.
To combat illegal migration, the procedure for deporting foreigners illegally residing in the country will be significantly simplified. This change aims to prevent migrants from overstaying their visas or living in Georgia without proper documentation.
**Simplifying Asylum Process and Preventing Abuse**
To prevent abuse of the asylum procedure, the government has introduced several measures:
* An accelerated asylum review procedure will be implemented for foreigners who do not apply for asylum within one month of entering the country.
* A new mechanism allows asylum applications to be reviewed at the state border without allowing the foreigner to enter Georgian territory if their entry poses a threat to state security.
* Timeframes for reviewing and appealing asylum decisions will be significantly shortened.
* A simplified electronic method will be introduced for delivering decisions, making it easier to control appeal timeframes.
**Restrictions on Residence Permits**
The government has also decided to restrict the issuance of residence permits in Georgia for foreigners whose deportation case is under review or who have already received a deportation decision. This move aims to prevent asylum seekers from exploiting loopholes in the system.
The proposed legislative package represents a significant step towards strengthening Georgia’s immigration laws and combating illegal migration. By refining regulations related to international protection, the government hopes to create a more secure environment for both citizens and foreigners living in Georgia.
