Amid rising sentiment against illegal migration, EU lawmakers and members agreed in principle on Monday to a new deal to tighten migration rules and allow the establishment of so-called “return hubs” outside the bloc.
The deal, proposed by the European Commission last year, comes as far-right parties are rising in popularity across the bloc and public opinion is pushing for a tougher stance on illegal migration.
The German dpa news agency reported that the deal was pushed through with the support of right-wing parties in the European Parliament, an unusual move.
The agreement comes as irregular arrivals to the EU fell 26% in 2025, their lowest level since 2021. However, EU officials argue that the problem now lies in the struggle of governments to enforce deportation orders, with less than 30% being enforced.
The legislation still needs formal approval by EU governments and the European Parliament.
What’s included in the deal?
The provisional deal, launched amid growing pressure to curb migration, says rejected asylum seekers who cannot be returned to their countries of origin could be transferred to “return hubs”, the locations of which have not yet been disclosed.
This will apply if the asylum seeker’s home country refuses to take them back, or if the EU Member State initiating the deportation does not maintain diplomatic relations with the asylum seeker’s country of origin.
The law would require rejected asylum seekers to cooperate more closely with authorities or risk being detained pending deportation. Those who fail to comply could face withdrawal of welfare benefits and confiscation of travel documents.
The new plan would also allow authorities to detain migrants they consider a flight risk or a threat to national security, with a detention period of up to 24 months, subject to a six-month extension, DPA reported, citing people involved in the talks.
Most of the agreed measures will come into force immediately once the law comes into force. Some commissions will come into force 12 months later to give EU members time to pave the way for relevant regulatory changes.
EU, far-right celebrate deal
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner celebrated the deal on Monday, saying it signals “we are getting our European house in order.”
“With the new rules, we have more control over who can come to the EU, who can stay and who must leave.”
The far-right ECR group also praised the agreement.
“The era of returns has begun,” it said.
Germany and Austria, which are both independently exploring options for setting up “return hubs”, are pushing for a controversial agreement with Greece, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Italy has already signed an agreement with Albania to house asylum seekers there, but this has been challenged in the courts.
Spain and France have been questioning the effectiveness of such models.
Why is the ‘Return Hub’ agreement controversial?
Rights groups have warned that the measure would broaden the powers of governments to detain and deport migrants, warning that it could lead to an increase in raids and measures used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Donald Trump.
“It sets out to normalize immigration raids, expand the use of detention in prison-like facilities outside EU territory, which are essentially legal black holes and put people at risk of being deported to countries where they may face persecution, torture or worse,” said Marta Welander of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an NGO.
NGOs have pointed to the current increase in deportations from Germany and other EU states. In some cases, authorities are conducting nighttime home searches to detain migrants and transfer them to airports for deportation, sometimes without even allowing them to collect their belongings.
French Green lawmaker Melissa Camara said, “The legalization of return hubs outside the EU, the green light for the detention of minors, home visits inspired by ICE practices: the legal arsenal serving the xenophobic ideology is now complete.”
Edited by: Louis Olofse
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