The European Union has taken a significant step towards tightening its immigration policy, with lawmakers backing the establishment of “return hubs” for failed asylum-seekers. This move is aimed at curbing irregular migration and improving the repatriation system, which currently sees only about 20% of people ordered to leave actually returning to their country of origin. The proposed return hubs would be set up outside the EU’s borders, allowing for the deportation of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected.
The decision has been met with criticism from left-leaning groups and human rights organizations, who argue that it could lead to human rights violations and outsourcing of EU responsibilities. Centre-right and far-right lawmakers, however, see it as a necessary step to regain control of the EU’s migration policy and tackle irregular arrivals. The reform still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and negotiated with member state representatives before it becomes law.
