
The European Union is taking a firmer approach to migration due to pressure from its member countries.
Migration remains a key concern, and the EU plans to roll out new rules to speed up deportations and limit irregular arrivals. These changes are raising questions about the future of immigration policies.
New legislation on migrant returns
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to introduce laws to help deport irregular migrants.
Right now, only 20% of people ordered to leave the EU are deported. Von der Leyen wants to improve this by making clearer agreements with non-EU countries
These steps are part of a broader effort to handle irregular migration, a key issue in EU politics.
Von der Leyen emphasized the need for a unified EU response. She said that decisions made by one EU country should be recognized by others. This would stop migrants ordered to leave one country from moving to another EU state.
She also suggested setting up “return hubs” in non-EU countries for people awaiting deportation.
Growing support for migration outsourcing
EU leaders are increasingly supporting migration outsourcing. At the recent summit, they supported the idea of partnering with non-EU countries to manage asylum processes.
While the details are still unclear, this shows a move toward stricter border control policies.
Leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen are pushing for tougher actions. They argue that outsourcing migration management to countries outside the EU could reduce the number of irregular migrants.
A key proposal is the use of “safe third-country” options, where migrants would be processed outside the EU.
(Image courtesy of ErichJacobi via Wikimedia Commons)
Challenges to implementation and opposition
Despite the push for EU migration reforms, opposition remains.
Countries like Spain and Belgium have raised concerns about the high costs and effectiveness of return hubs. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo noted that similar efforts in the past have not worked well.
This skepticism highlights the challenge the EU faces in balancing security with humanitarian duties.
Rights groups are also concerned that outsourcing asylum claims could violate the international law of territorial asylum, which requires countries to handle asylum requests within their own borders.
Stricter border controls and visa policies
Germany, France, and other EU countries have already started border checks to reduce irregular migration, temporarily suspending passport-free travel in some areas under the Schengen Agreement.
This change, driven by public concerns about security, shows the EU’s increasing focus on controlling who enters.
Von der Leyen has also called for stricter visa policies, saying they are an effective way to manage irregular migration. The EU aims to work with non-EU countries through these visa agreements to help stop illegal movements.
(Image courtesy of Guillaume Périgois via Unsplash)
Tightened border for non-EU citizens
These changes in EU migration policy will impact short-term visitors, long-term residents, and migrants.
For short-term visitors, stricter border controls and possible visa changes could make travel harder, especially for non-EU citizens. Long-term residents and migrants may face more scrutiny and tougher residency rules.
The upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will add more requirements for non-EU visitors. The ETIAS will prescreen travelers from visa-exempt countries, tightening the EU’s border controls even further.
Security takes priority over open borders
The push for stricter deportation rules and migration outsourcing shows broader changes in EU immigration policy.
While the EU remains committed to international law, the focus on border security signals a shift toward prioritizing security over open borders.
This shift could lead to more division within the EU, as some countries push for tougher controls, while others support more humane migration policies.
Countries like Poland and Hungary, which have resisted migration reforms, are likely to keep opposing efforts to unify policies across the EU.
Stricter laws, rising questions
The EU’s migration reforms mark a shift in how it handles irregular migration. With stricter deportation laws and migration outsourcing, these changes will affect migrants, visitors, and residents.
The introduction of the ETIAS and tougher visa policies suggests that EU migration policy will continue to be a debated and changing issue.
While these steps may reduce irregular arrivals, they also raise concerns about human rights and the long-term impact of the EU’s approach.