The office has been established by the government under the reform aliens' act, the contentious law that is being challenged at the Constitutional Court over provisions that would enable shutting Slovenia's borders to illegal migrants.

The office will see to the accommodation of migrants, their healthcare, as well as inclusion in education and the labour market. It will also manage the asylum centre and the activities there.

Acting director Mojca Špec Potočar has told the STA the office's mission will be to ensure all categories of foreigners their rights by coordinating the work of other state bodies, NGOs and international organisations working with migrants.

The office would also make proposals and initiatives for interdisciplinary approach to migrant issues with an emphasis on integration programmes.

The office will also be responsible for the resettlement of migrants under the EU scheme and for the community work programme in which long-term unemployed will help in the accommodation and supply of asylum seekers and in the inclusion of those already granted the status into their new environment.

Based at the Ljubljana asylum centre, the office will have a total of 34 staff, who come from four ministries so far responsible for migrants. Its budget for this year is EUR 4.3m.