The European Union has formally approved a significant tightening of its immigration policies, signaling a tougher stance on irregular migration. A large majority of the EU’s 27 member states voted in favor of the new measures, which now await approval from the European Parliament.
At a meeting in Brussels, EU interior ministers endorsed three proposals put forward by the European Commission, aimed at regulating the arrival and return of migrants. These measures include the establishment of “return centers” outside EU borders, where migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected would be sent. Furthermore, stricter penalties will be imposed on migrants who refuse to leave European territory, potentially involving extended detention periods and the transfer of migrants to countries deemed “safe” by Europe, even if they are not their countries of origin.
Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner who spearheaded the toughening of sanctions on irregular immigration, previously stated, “We need to make progress in order to give citizens the feeling that we are in control of the situation.”
To alleviate pressure on countries along migration routes, such as Greece and Italy, the EU will soon require member states to accept asylum seekers on their territory. If a member state declines to do so, it will be obligated to pay a financial contribution of 20,000 euros per asylum seeker to the countries facing the most significant strain.
Danish Immigration Minister Rasmus Stoklund, who chaired the discussions, noted that “three out of four irregular migrants who have been issued return decisions in the EU continue to stay here instead of returning to their home countries.” He added, “I believe that the new set of rules can greatly help improve these figures.”
Stoklund clarified that the agreement reached at the meeting of European interior ministers in Brussels would mean that individuals who do not have the right to remain in the EU will be subject to new obligations for the first time. Rejected asylum seekers will face penalties if they fail to cooperate effectively in the deportation process or to provide identification documents immediately upon request.
