EU moves to set up overseas asylum centers as Italy reports surge in migrant arrivals

European Union officials are studying the creation of external "return centers" for rejected asylum seekers in third countries such as Rwanda, Uzbekistan and Uganda. A new EU law passed earlier this year allows member states to contract non‑EU nations to host migrant management facilities, provided human‑rights standards are met. More than half of the 27 members have called for rapid implementation, with Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands leading a project that aims to finalise agreements by 2026 and have the centres operating from 1 January 2027. Human‑rights groups and UNHCR have warned that refugees could face serious risks in such locations, and French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed doubts about the approach.

In Italy, the city of Trieste – the main entry point on the Balkan route – is seeing a marked increase in arrivals during the first half of 2026, while the proportion of migrants choosing to remain in the city has fallen from 51 % to 28 %. NGOs report long queues at the immigration office, reduced registration of asylum claims, and new procedural hurdles such as the removal of original documents. Vulnerable groups, especially women and unaccompanied minors, are particularly affected. Critics argue that the new European migration and asylum pact, recently adopted by the Italian government, adds confusion to an already strained system.