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Hungary Seeks Sanctions Against Helpers of Illegal Migration


Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, foreground, inspects the enlarged transit zone set up for migrants at the country's southern border with Serbia near Tompa, 169 kms southeast of Budapest, April 6, 2017.
Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, foreground, inspects the enlarged transit zone set up for migrants at the country's southern border with Serbia near Tompa, 169 kms southeast of Budapest, April 6, 2017.

The Hungarian government is proposing a set of laws that would tax and possibly sanction Hungarian groups who assist illegal migration and receive foreign funding.

Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said Wednesday that such groups would have to register with the courts and pay a 25 percent tax on funds received from abroad. Groups failing to register, and which the authorities consider to be adding illegal migrants, could be fined.

The government, which says the draft bill won't be sent to lawmakers until after a debate, has dubbed the bills "Stop Soros" laws.

It blames Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros for Europe's migration challenges, partly because of his funding of groups that advocate for the rights of refugees.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban is an opponent of immigration, especially by Muslims.

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