Migration policy shifts in the EU and UK

The European Union has approved new rules to strengthen migration policies, specifically targeting the enforcement of return decisions for individuals without a legal right to stay. The new framework introduces a European return order to facilitate cooperation between member states and establishes a system where individuals must cooperate with authorities or face sanctions. A significant component of the new policy allows member states to establish agreements with third countries to utilize their territory for the purpose of returning non-EU residents.

Separately, the United Kingdom has announced the termination of its migrant and asylum seeker exchange agreement with France. The British Home Office stated that there are no longer new cases of migrants available for exchange under the terms established by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron. While the exchange of undocumented arrivals for legitimate asylum seekers with family ties in the UK has ended, London confirmed that cooperation regarding the interception of small boats crossing the English Channel continues. Statistics show that illegal crossings have decreased by more than 40 percent this year compared to the same period last year.