EU passes tougher migration law to enable deportations to third‑country hubs

EU lawmakers and governments have agreed in principle on a new migration package that would allow member states to send rejected asylum seekers to "return hubs" in third countries, even where the migrants have no links. The draft, proposed by the European Commission, extends detention periods, introduces penalties such as entry bans and fines, and authorises the seizure of belongings, biometric data collection and home searches. European Commissioner Magnus Brunner said on social media: "With the new rules, we have more control over who can come to the EU, who can stay, and who needs to leave." The legislation is positioned as the missing piece of the EU migration pact adopted in April 2024 and comes as right‑wing parties made significant gains in the 2024 European Parliament elections. Dutch lawmaker Malik Azmani warned that "Europe cannot afford another period of standstill" and stressed the need for a higher return rate, noting that only 28 % of rejected asylum seekers currently return to their countries of origin. The proposal still requires formal approval by EU governments and the European Parliament before it can become law.

The new rules aim to streamline deportations and improve compliance with return orders, addressing long‑standing difficulties in enforcing them across the bloc.