leidenlawblog

Dossier

Migration & Asylum

Migration is one of the most contested political and legal issues of our time. This dossier covers asylum law, refugee rights, border governance and integration policy, at the national, European and international level. It examines both the legal frameworks and the human realities they shape.

Blogs

Undocumented children in limbo

Imagine growing up where you can be fined for playing in the hallway, are moved around all the time, and friends disappear without warning: this is the reality for children in 'gezinslocaties'.

Elias Tissandier-Nasom, Laura Cleton, Elina Jonitz and Nour Samira Hjeij • January 14, 2026

Lived gender identity in EU Law

For the first time, the Court of Justice of the European Union has interpreted EU law to create an obligation for Member States to legally recognise the lived gender identity of trans persons.

Elias Tissandier-Nasom • September 17, 2025

Recognition without regulation: The protection of ‘climate refugees’

As climate-induced displacement increases, legal protection lags behind. This post explores how current legal frameworks fail to safeguard millions of displaced people – despite growing international recognition.

Sjoukje Kraak • May 28, 2025

The Dutch security dilemma and the role of the Police, the Military Police and the Military

The Netherlands is struggling with organised crime, security issues and police shortages. With the military police and the military now becoming increasingly involved, it’s time for some questions.

Tim van Lit • July 04, 2023

Why the proposed Dutch ‘two-status’ asylum system is a bad idea

The one-status system in Dutch asylum law is an important achievement. Changing it to a two-status system to restrict family reunification is not only counterproductive, but a violation of children’s rights.

Mark Klaassen • June 19, 2023

Venezuelan survival migration in the US-Mexico migration corridor

The new arrangement to manage Venezuelan survival migration at the Mexico-US border couples a limited and restrictive regularisation pathway with repressive and punitive measures for irregular migration.

Amalia Campos-Delgado • October 27, 2022

Safety First: Forced Mobilization and the Right to Seek Asylum

Everyone has the right to seek asylum. Human rights do not change based on race, religion, sex, or nationality. On the other hand, compulsory military service is not illegal and fleeing persecution for refusal to join armed forces should meet certain criteria.

Rytis Satkauskas • October 13, 2022

A plea for more focus on children's rights

States can deny refugee protection in cases where a person could find safety in another part of their home country. A closer look at this well-established doctrine reveals yet another area where children's rights are unexplored.

Daniel Simon • August 23, 2022

Legal mobilization in the field of asylum law: A revival of political opportunity structures?

Increasingly, courts are now institutions where collective actors, like NGOs, want to achieve change. The field of European asylum law is no different in that sense. But who are these actors and why choose litigation as a strategy?

Kris van der Pas • June 21, 2022