Majority of House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) votes for stricter asylum laws after chaotic process

A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) has voted for two laws for a stricter asylum policy. The laws were made by then PVV minister Faber and are intended to introduce "the strictest asylum policy ever" in the Netherlands.
There were 95 members of parliament in favor of the introduction of the law on the dual status system and 55 against. The asylum emergency measures law was passed with 94 votes in favor and 56 against, as became apparent shortly before midnight during the roll-call votes.
This takes the first hurdle, but it remains uncertain whether the Senate will also vote in favor. That will only be known after the summer recess, or possibly later.

There has been a lot of discussion about the two laws in recent days, especially when an additional tightening was introduced on Tuesday to criminalize illegality. This would also mean that people who help illegal immigrants with shelter and food could be punished. The latter was unacceptable to the CDA, NSC and SGP. NSC and SGP were in frequent consultation today because they wanted a written commitment from Asylum Minister Van Weel.
On Thursday evening around 22:00 (CEST) he came with a letter that made it clear that the criminalisation of illegality will not take effect immediately. The Council of State (Raad van State) will first look into this, asylum minister Van Weel wrote to the Lower House. And after the advice, it will be discussed in the House.
On Thursday evening, the two parties increased the pressure to have Van Weel write down "in black and white" that humanitarian aid to illegal immigrants will not be punishable. This is part of the criminalisation of illegality and is therefore included in the asylum laws. They believe that people, for example from the church, cannot be punished because they give illegal immigrants a "cup of coffee", "cup of soup", "a bed" or a "piece of bread". They find that unmerciful and unacceptable.
NSC voted in favour of the law because of Van Weel's letter. This afternoon he had another explanation that caused a lot of confusion because he said that "the law was the law". But now Van Weel has met the critical parties halfway. "Yes, we can handle this very well", said a relieved NSC (New Social Contract) faction leader Van Vroonhoven. The SGP (strong Christian) also voted in favour.
The CDA (Christian Democrats) remains against and calls it "incomprehensible that so many parties vote in favour". CDA leader Bontenbal emphasises that this week was "chaos" and that legislation was handled in an amateurish manner. "The amendment on criminalisation is and remains unacceptable to us."
There has been a lot of discussion in recent days, especially about the addition of criminalisation of illegality. A proposal by the PVV unexpectedly gained a majority on Tuesday. The CDA withdrew its support for the strict asylum laws last Wednesday.

(Source: NOS.nl)