The European Union has taken another step in the procedure for creating deportation centers for illegal migrants in third countries (Return Hubs). The European Parliament and representatives from EU countries announced on Thursday, May 21, that they have reached an agreement to approve a new law that allows the deportation of migrants without the right to stay in the EU to countries with which they have no connection.
"All remaining political issues have been thoroughly discussed and preliminarily agreed upon," said participants in the negotiations. There is no agreement yet on the timing for the new rules to come into effect.
As the dpa agency points out, citing sources from negotiation circles, EU countries have requested additional time to align their legal frameworks with the new regulations. The European Parliament insists on the immediate implementation of new measures. The next round of negotiations is set for June 1.
Deportation of illegal migrants to third countries
In March, the initiative that significantly tightens the EU's immigration policy was approved by the European Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice, and home affairs, and then by the full composition of the European Parliament.
The new measures will allow European countries to create deportation centers outside the EU, where people whose asylum applications have been rejected and who cannot be deported to their countries of origin are expected to be sent. Minors arriving in the EU unaccompanied will not be subject to deportation.
The package also includes harsher penalties - from entry bans to imprisonment - for those who refuse to leave the EU despite relevant authorities' decisions. Moreover, it is proposed to reduce or completely stop benefits for illegal migrants, dpa reports.
Human rights advocates criticize the EU plans
Germany, along with other EU countries, is currently negotiating with various nations that have shown readiness to host deportation centers on their territory.
The tightening of EU migration policy has been sharply criticized by human rights organizations. They fear systematic human rights violations, as the new rules allow for the expulsion of illegal migrants to countries with which they have no connection.
Meanwhile, in 2025, the number of asylum applications in the EU decreased by 19 percent compared to the previous year. Only 20 percent of those ordered to leave EU countries actually return to their country of origin. Last year, a record 28 percent of those subject to deportation were expelled from the EU.