When the answer isn’t black and white
23 September 2026
Legal consultation at Foyer
Sebastiano has been working at Foyer for 26 years and has specialised in immigration law throughout his career. From the 2000s until 2018, he was part of Foyer’s legal team. Today, he returns to Foyer every Monday to support people with questions about their residence and legal situation.
When the legal service had to close in 2018, the questions people brought to Foyer did not disappear. To continue responding to this need, Sebastiano returned to Foyer, where he now provides the legal consultation service.
Today, he sees an average of five to six people each Monday. The consultations cover a wide range of questions relating to immigration law. Regularisation and family reunification are among the recurring topics, but the service is certainly not limited to these two areas. People can come with questions about their specific legal situation and seek professional advice.
Direct contact with people
Alongside his work at Foyer, Sebastiano continues to practise law outside the organisation. There, he works more often on second- or third-line legal matters, with less direct contact with people. This direct contact is one of the main reasons he continues to provide the legal consultation service at Foyer.
Being able to meet people, listen to their situation and try to help them gives him a great deal of personal satisfaction. The consultations also keep him professionally up to date: he continues to follow changes in legislation and the different legal situations encountered in Brussels.
A growing need for specialised expertise
The legal consultation service is not something that can be taken for granted. According to Sebastiano, specialised support in immigration law is becoming increasingly scarce. In Brussels and Flanders, there are only a limited number of services specialising in this field, and some are disappearing due to lost subsidies or other resources. At the same time, legislation is becoming increasingly complex while demand remains high.
This is particularly visible in the situations faced by people without legal residence.
“The situation of people without papers is something that few people think about.”
Their circumstances can be particularly complex. Under certain conditions, they may have access to medical assistance and children can attend school, while at the same time facing significant restrictions when it comes to work, income and housing. They can therefore find themselves in a situation where it is very difficult to move forward.
A negative answer can still be valuable
A legal consultation does not always lead to a solution. For Sebastiano, it is important that people also understand, when the answer is negative, why a particular legal option is not available.
Some people tell him that they have previously received very different answers or promises. He tries to explain their situation as clearly and realistically as possible: what is legally possible, what is not, and what may require further examination.
Legal situations are rarely simply black or white. Sometimes there is a possibility, sometimes there isn’t, and sometimes a situation is more complex than it initially appears.
Sebastiano has also noticed that people are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools with their legal questions. These tools can provide information, but they can also easily lead to incorrect answers when it comes to legal questions. Since every situation is different and legislation can be complex, it remains important to consult a professional when in doubt.
“If you have doubts, it is always worth coming in.”
Legal consultation at Foyer
Do you have a question about your right of residence or another matter relating to immigration law? Foyer offers legal consultations where you can discuss your situation with a professional. You do not need to know in advance whether there is a solution. If you are unsure, it can be useful to have your situation assessed by a professional.
Every Monday, from 11:30 to 17:00
By appointment through the Intercultural Mediation secretariat: 02/410.75.81
38 Werkhuizenstraat, 1080 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
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