EU Agrees Tougher Rules for Returning Migrants

The European Union has agreed new rules to tighten the deportation system for migrants who have no right to stay in the bloc. Once finally approved, the legislation would allow member states to send rejected asylum seekers to return centers in third countries, even if they have no personal connection to the country concerned.

The European Commission says the current system is ineffective, with only around one in five people subject to a removal order actually leaving the EU. Brussels says the new rules are intended to speed up return procedures and give governments more effective tools to enforce migration policy.

The legislation would also expand the powers of authorities by allowing longer detention periods, entry bans, fines and the collection of biometric data.

Provisions allowing home searches and the detention of minors have drawn criticism. Human rights organizations warn that the measures could lead to abuses and weaken the protection of migrants’ fundamental rights. Critics have described the package as the toughest tightening of EU migration policy in years.

(reuters, max)