The margins of discretion in European expulsion decisions

Foreigners who have been convicted of crimes and are subsequently issued with an expulsion decision have to leave a state which might have become their home and are often barred from returning to this state for a considerable period of time. An expulsion decision can constitute a severe interference with the private and family life of the individual and has the potential to destroy his or her personal, cultural, social and economic ties in that state.
In light of these serious consequences, an expulsion decision should only be issued if it meets certain requirements. This research assesses whether the national (German and Dutch) law on expulsion complies with the standards set by European law. It identifies shortcomings in national statutory provisions on expulsion and provides recommendations for its reorganisation.