Christian Democrat MP Raymond Knops says the whole of the parliamentary party backs the Immigration and Asylum Minister’s decision not to give Mauro Manuel a residence permit.

This means that dissident MPs Kathleen Ferrier and Ad Koppejan are back in line. Earlier Ad Koppejan said he could not imagine the parliamentary faction would send the unaccompanied underage asylum seeker, who is now 18 years old, back to Angola. Ms Ferrier called for a meeting ahead of this afternoon’s debate on the minister’s decision.

If the decision is not overturned, the only option for Mauro is to apply for a study visa, which means four years of uncertainty as he would continually have to meet requirements for such a visa. After graduating, he would still have to leave the country, unless he was able to find a job which meets the high salary requirements. MP Knops accepts this as an acceptable course of action. 

Meanwhile, on Twitter #mauromagblijven (Mauro can stay) has become a trending topic, and the number of signatures on the petition Mauro moet blijven (Mauro must stay) have doubled in just one day. Mauro himself has twittered that he will attend this afternoon's debate about his future.

(nc/hs/imm)

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