(VOVworld) - The Austrian parliament on Wednesday adopted one of Europe’s toughest refugee laws, allowing the government to declare a state of emergency if the number of migrants threatens “national security.” The refugees may be directly rejected at the border and sent back to a neighbor country.

The government will be able to declare a state of emergency if the number of migrants unexpectedly goes up (Source: dw.com)

The state of emergency can be extended for three more six-month terms. The new law also envisages a "limited asylum" which reduces the number of years a refugee can live in Austria. Some vulnerable groups like unaccompanied minors and pregnant women will be exempt from the harsh rule. Austria received around 90,000 asylum seekers last year but this year, the number admitted will be limited to 37,500.