European Union lawmakers and member state governments have reached an agreement on new migration rules that would allow countries to send rejected asylum seekers to so-called “return hubs” in countries outside the bloc, marking a significant shift in the EU’s approach to migration management.
The legislation, which still requires formal approval from EU governments and the European Parliament, forms part of a broader effort to tighten migration policies across the bloc amid increasing political pressure and ongoing challenges in returning migrants who have been ordered to leave.
According to the European Commission, the new framework is designed to streamline deportation procedures and provide governments with additional tools to enforce return decisions while respecting fundamental rights. The Commission has noted that only around 20% of people ordered to leave the EU currently depart.
Under the proposed rules, EU member states would be able to establish return centers outside the bloc for individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected or who have otherwise been ordered to leave. Deportees could be transferred to countries with which they have no prior connection.
European Commissioner Magnus Brunner said the agreement would give member states greater control over migration management, including decisions on who can enter, remain in, or leave the European Union.
The legislation also introduces tougher enforcement measures. Detention periods would be extended, while penalties for non-cooperation could include entry bans, fines and potential criminal sanctions.
Authorities would gain expanded powers to collect biometric data, search migrants and relevant premises, seize belongings and detain minors. The inclusion of searches of “relevant premises” has drawn particular criticism from human rights organizations, which argue the wording is overly broad and could permit intrusive home searches.
Rights groups have strongly opposed the agreement, warning that it risks creating a more punitive migration system. Critics argue the measures could facilitate practices they consider harmful to asylum seekers and migrants.
Silvia Carta, advocacy officer at the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), described the proposed framework as a “draconian detention and deportation machine.”
Minos Mouzourakis of Refugee Support Aegean warned that the legislation could lead to what he called “extremely damaging and extremely dangerous practices” across Europe.
French Green lawmaker Mélissa Camara also criticized the agreement, citing concerns over return hubs outside the EU, the detention of minors and expanded search powers.
Several member states have already begun exploring external return arrangements. The Netherlands is working with Denmark, Germany, Greece and Austria on plans for joint return and transit hubs, while discussions with Uganda on a similar initiative have been suspended.
Dutch officials have said they hope to make concrete progress by the end of the year as the country faces overcrowded asylum reception facilities and mounting political pressure over migration policy.
