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The European Commission has rolled out a new plan to make it easier to send back asylum seekers who don’t qualify to stay in the EU. Announced on Tuesday by Security and Democracy Vice-President Hena Virkunen and Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner, the proposal aims to create a common system across all EU countries and set up return hubs outside the bloc for those who have exhausted their legal options.
Why Change the System?
Virkunen pointed out that the current process is messy and ineffective. Right now, only about 20% of rejected asylum seekers actually leave the EU, with many disappearing from authorities or moving to another country within the bloc. She argued that this weakens the EU’s immigration policies and makes the system unfair for those who do qualify for asylum.
Under the new plan, if one EU country issues a return order, it would automatically apply across the entire bloc. The proposal also ensures that individuals facing deportation still have legal rights, including access to information, legal support, and special protections for families and minors.
Controversial Return Hubs
One of the most debated parts of the proposal is the idea of return hubs in non-EU countries. These would serve as holding centers for rejected asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal appeals, especially in cases where their home country won’t take them back.
Brunner stressed that this wouldn’t be like the UK sending asylum seekers to Rwanda or Italy’s plan to process migrants in Albania. Instead, EU countries would have the option to set up these hubs under strict legal and human rights guidelines.
Key Parts of the Plan
The new rules, designed to support the EU’s 2023 Pact on Immigration and Asylum, introduce several major changes:
- A Unified Return System – Any return order issued by one EU country would apply across all Member States.
- Mutual Recognition – By 2027, the EU may require all countries to enforce each other’s return decisions automatically.
- Stricter Enforcement – Those who evade authorities, move to another EU country, or pose a security risk could be removed immediately.
- Tougher Consequences – Asylum seekers who don’t cooperate may face reduced benefits, confiscation of travel documents, or mandatory stays in designated locations.
- Stronger Human Rights Protections – Safeguards will remain in place for families, minors, and vulnerable individuals, ensuring no one is sent back to a dangerous situation.
- Harsher Detention Rules – Authorities can now require financial guarantees, regular check-ins, or supervised housing for those at risk of disappearing. Detention periods for flight risks will increase from 18 to 24 months, with possible extensions in security-related cases.
- Readmission Agreements – Deportations will only be carried out to countries that have formal agreements in place and a functioning return system.
What Happens Next?
The plan is expected to face pushback in the European Parliament, particularly from left-leaning parties. However, Brunner is optimistic, saying the proposal strikes a balance between strict enforcement and human rights protections.
If approved, these changes would mark a big shift in EU immigration policy, tightening the rules around deportations while attempting to address concerns about fairness and human rights. The proposal will now go through debates in the European Parliament and Council, where its future will be decided in the coming months.
