Leaders from seven opposition parties, including D66, the SP, and the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance, are calling on Refugee Minister Marjolein Faber to stop the deportation of 11-year-old Mikael, a Dutch-born boy who has never set foot in Armenia. Despite living his entire life in the Netherlands and preparing to start secondary school, Mikael faces deportation to the country his mother left 14 years ago.

In a public appeal published in *Volkskrant*, the party leaders argue that current immigration laws, which allow such a deportation, are in urgent need of reform. They challenge Minister Faber’s claim that she is powerless to intervene, citing legal experts who suggest that exceptions can be made in cases of personal hardship. Carolus Grutters, a migration law expert from Radboud University, noted that the law does permit discretionary decisions based on an individual’s circumstances.

The opposition leaders have also submitted formal inquiries to both Minister Faber and Prime Minister Dick Schoof, questioning the decision to deport Mikael. They emphasize the need for a compassionate approach, especially given that Mikael was born and raised in the Netherlands.

Faber, who represents the far-right PVV, has blamed Mikael’s mother for their situation, arguing that she should have left the country years ago. She has also expressed a tough stance on immigration, describing the Netherlands as a “Valhalla” for refugees and pledging to cut support for asylum seekers to the bare minimum.

The case has sparked significant public outcry, with a petition to stop Mikael’s deportation gathering over 87,000 signatures. As the government presses ahead with its plans, the call for a more humane approach to immigration continues to grow.