In a recent interview on Stand NL (NPO Radio 1), migration scholar Minke Hajer sharply criticises plans to criminalise irregular stay. She argues that these measures go beyond addressing administrative issues and risk punishing people for their mere existence.

Key Points from the Interview:

• Unjust criminalisation: Hajer highlights the problematic nature of turning undocumented presence into a criminal offence—suggesting it extends punitive law into realms better managed through civil or administrative pathways.

• Impact on solidarity: She cautions that imposing criminal sanctions on individuals who provide humanitarian or informal support risks eroding community support networks and discourages acts of solidarity.

• Practical concerns: Hajer questions the effectiveness of such policies, pointing out the strain on law enforcement, the potential for arbitrary prosecutions, and broader social costs.

• A human-centred approach: Emphasising human dignity, Hajer calls for policies that recognise the lived realities of undocumented people—focusing on inclusion and protection rather than punishment.

Minke Hajer’s insights serve as a powerful warning against excessive enforcement. She urges policymakers to reassess these proposals and instead explore responses that uphold justice, respect human rights, and protect social cohesion.