EU agrees on largest tightening of migration rules in decades
The European Union has agreed on a large-scale reform of migration legislation that provides for a significant tightening of the rules for deporting foreigners who have no legal grounds to remain in the territory.
The agreement was reached between the institutions of the European Union and the European Parliament on Monday.
The new law aims to speed up return procedures for migrants and, according to observers, represents one of the toughest changes to EU migration policy in decades.
One of the key provisions of the reform will be the possibility of creating so-called “return centers” outside the European Union. To this end, EU member states will be able to conclude relevant agreements with third countries. It is envisaged that persons subject to deportation will be sent to such centers.
According to official statistics, currently only about 29 percent of migrants denied the right to remain leave the territory of the European Union.
The return centers may be used both as transit points before sending migrants to their destination country and as places of long-term stay. This approach differs significantly from current practice, under which deportation is usually carried out directly to the migrant’s country of origin or to a country with which the migrant has confirmed ties.
After the law enters into force, this requirement will be significantly relaxed. An exception is planned only for unaccompanied minors. At the same time, families with children will be able to be sent to such centers on a general basis.
A number of European states have already begun searching for potential partners to implement the new system. Last year, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Greece advocated for the development of an external return centers mechanism. Italy, for its part, is already applying a similar model in cooperation with Albania. Two centers operate on the territory of that country for the accommodation of migrants, although the number of people there remains relatively small.
The law also expands the powers of national authorities regarding persons staying illegally in the EU. In particular, competent bodies will be able to conduct checks and searches in migrants’ places of residence as well as in other premises deemed relevant to the case.
This provision has caused serious concern among human rights organizations and civil society representatives. Critics of the initiative argue that the new measures could lead to excessive interference in private life and resemble the raids conducted by the American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some non-governmental organizations have already described the developments as evidence of a tightening migration course and a departure from the previous humanitarian principles of European policy.
Significant changes will also affect the rules for detaining migrants awaiting deportation. While the current maximum period of such detention is six months, after the reform is adopted it may be increased to two years. In addition, an additional extension of six months is provided for. For persons whom the authorities consider a threat to public or national security, restrictions on the length of detention will effectively be lifted.
At the same time, the rules on re-entry bans to European Union countries are also being tightened. In most cases, the duration of such a ban will increase from five to ten years. For certain categories of persons recognized as a security threat, an indefinite entry ban may be introduced.
Another important innovation will be a change in the procedure for judicial appeal of deportation decisions. Currently, filing an appeal automatically suspends the execution of the return decision until the end of the court proceedings. After the law enters into force, this guarantee will be abolished. Courts will decide on the need for a temporary suspension of deportation on a case-by-case basis.
It is expected that after all formalities are completed, the new rules could come into effect as early as next month.
Source: Euronews
