Asylum and immigration law

In the area of immigration law, Böhler’s lawyers provide advice and legal assistance on issues relating to residence permits, asylum cases, immigrant detention and naturalisation. They can draw on many years of experience and expertise, including in the area of European law and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Regular immigration law

Böhler assists individuals who want to come to the Netherlands, whether to work, study, join family members or partners, or to receive medical treatment. We act at the behest of the individuals themselves, their families, or their employers or future employers. Our assistance ranges from an initial exploration of the legal possibilities to legal proceedings in judicial bodies. Böhler also represents individuals whose residence permits have been withdrawn, including those who have received a ‘pronouncement of undesirability’ from the Dutch authorities.

Asylum law

Böhler acts for asylum seekers who are applying for asylum, regardless of whether it is an initial application or a repeat attempt. Böhler has particular expertise in proceedings against the withholding of refugee status on the grounds of Article 1F of the Refugee Convention.

Böhler’s lawyers frequently work with national and international organisations in this area, including the UNHCR, Amnesty International and the Dutch Council for Refugees. As national regulation becomes more and more stringent, asylum seekers are becoming increasingly dependent on the European Court of Human Rights for Protection. Böhler has considerable experience in the conduct of procedures in this court and other international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

Immigrant detention

In detention cases, Böhler acts for individuals who have been detained, either pending or in anticipation of deportation, on the grounds that they have no legal right to stay. Recourse to expert legal assistance is vital to ensure that the period of detention is as brief as possible. In such situations, the main role of the lawyer is to critically analyse and, where possible, dispute the imposition and continuation of the detention in order to secure the detainee’s release.

Naturalisation
Böhler assists individuals in the legal process leading to the conferral of Dutch citizenship. According to the client’s wishes, this can take the form of legal advice and a step-by-step plan, or comprehensive support during the legal process. Böhler also acts on behalf of individuals whose Dutch citizenship has been –or is threatened to be –withdrawn.