Deportation protest in The Hague, Netherlands by Charles M. Vella / SOPA Images
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, saw not only the mass evacuation of its indigenes people, but also the evacuation of its foreign student body studying in that country. Rather than return home, most fled to neighboring Europe and four-thousand plus entered The Netherlands. At the time they too were granted asylum with similar rights as awarded to Ukrainians nationals. Students who had submitted asylum request now consider this was a form of entrapment; they now see their applications rejected and are now facing deportation. The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Immigration took the decision to deport all students and stipulated non-asylum procedures on them. The protesters demand the same rights awarded to Ukrainian asylum citizens now living in The Netherlands, but not as asylum seekers per say, they want the right to stay and to continue their studies in The Netherlands. They have until 4 September 2023 to leave The Netherlands voluntarily or face deportation. Those that leave prior to this date are given a Five-thousands Euro cash incentive and a one-way ticket home, a large majority accepted this offer; those that remain after this date will be treated as illegal immigrants and deported.
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