The new bill on foreigners could be passed by the end of the year, said the Interior Ministry State Secretary, Zarko Katic, in parliament on Thursday, adding that illegal immigrants posed a threat to state security.

“Illegal immigrants are a threat to state security and Croatia is located on migrant routes. The Interior Ministry and the police directorate are carefully monitoring the situation and steps,” Katic said, adding that the number of immigrants was growing, but it hasn’t increased drastically compared to last year.

During a parliamentary debate on the amendments to the Croatian Foreigners Act, which regulates residency for researchers, students, interns, and volunteers as prescribed by the European Parliament directive from May 11, 2016, Katic said that new legislation on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, and training, could be adopted by the end of 2018.

Vesna Pusic, of the centre-left GLAS party, said she considered the provision that someone’s residency application can be rejected if they “represent a danger to national security” to be contentious, as this criterion is not clearly defined and leaves room for arbitrariness.

“The law relates to people who are vitally interesting for us, as well as their remaining in Croatia upon completion of their education,” she said.

People who are rejected are sometimes not given any explanation as to why their residency was not approved, which presents another obstacle, she added.

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