EU Parliament approves return centres for rejected asylum seekers

The European Parliament voted on 17 June 2026 to adopt a new return‑centre regulation with 418 yes votes, 218 no votes and 30 abstentions. The measure creates “return hubs” in third‑country states for people whose asylum applications have been rejected and who cannot be sent back to their country of origin. Unaccompanied minors are excluded, while families may be placed in the centres. The regulation also introduces tougher sanctions for non‑cooperating persons, including cuts to benefits, confiscation of travel documents and detention for up to two years, extendable by six months in special cases.

The vote was supported by conservative and right‑wing groups, prompting celebratory chants such as “Send them back” from AfD and other right‑most deputies, while centre‑left parties and Greens criticised the loss of rights. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) said agreements with third‑country hosts will be concluded within the year. The European Council must give its final approval, which is regarded as a formality.

In Germany, the new rule follows recent court rulings that deemed border‑level rejections of asylum seekers unlawful, a decision criticised by Green leader Katharina Dröge as a “disrespect of the judiciary”. Legal scholars and the EU’s advisory migration council warned that the regulation could undermine fundamental rights and create dependence on third‑country partners. Switzerland, though not an EU member, will also have to apply the rules if it stays in the Schengen area.