Congo, migration and technology
Refugees and undocumented people: “being human does not start with papers”
Carla worked for a dignified life for refugees, status holders and undocumented people in Amsterdam: shelter, healthcare, work and education. “No one is illegal,” she said in the council. She supported volunteer organisations such as We Are Here and Stap Verder.
What Carla did
Motion
Motion 753 (Khan, Kabamba, Ahmadi and Van der Veen): a seat at the table for status holders. Adopted; the executive reported back in November 2025.
Committee
Carla supported the policy framework for refugees and undocumented people, but asked how the national shelter facilities would remain funded.
Motion
Motion 438 (Kabamba et al.): a video project to build empathy for refugees. Adopted.
Put on the agenda
She put the pilot on asylum seekers and work on the agenda and asked how it connects to sectors with staff shortages.
Committee
“Being human does not start with papers.” She asked that undocumented people feel safe seeking care, and argued for a safe shelter for LGBTI asylum seekers.
Motion
Motion 090 (Khan et al., with Kabamba): give undocumented people ownership through work-study routes. Adopted.
Council
“No one is illegal.” She asked the council to support volunteer organisations such as We Are Here and Stap Verder.
Amendment
Amendment 527 (Yemane et al., with Kabamba): make the City Pass available to children without residence status. Adopted.
Council
In her last debate on the subject she warned against plans to criminalise being undocumented: “This is about people, about children.”