The Dutch government plans to bring in laws making it possible to expel foreigners who are repeat offenders as part of its drive to crack down on crime, the justice ministry said on Friday according to Reuters. Security, crime and immigration have been hot topics in the Netherlands since the murder three years ago of populist politician Pim Fortuyn, who said the country could not absorb any more foreigners. "The presence of criminal foreigners, including a large group of repeat offenders, is an increasing problem in the Netherlands," Integration Minister Rita Verdonk said in a letter to parliament. Under the proposal, foreigners who have been in the Netherlands for less than three years and who are found to be repeat offenders could face expulsion after completing their sentences even if they hold residence papers. "This applies to crimes which are punishable by jail sentences ... This ranges from theft to mistreatment and serious crime," a justice ministry spokesman said. Each case would be judged individually. The plans, which were agreed by the centre-right coalition government on Friday and will be reviewed in parliament by the end of the year, have already come under fire. --more 2324 Local Time 2024 GMT
