Lawmakers approve measure allowing member states to deport rejected asylum seekers to facilities outside the European Union.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The European Parliament has approved a measure enabling member states to establish migrant return centers outside the European Union, marking a shift in the bloc’s approach to handling rejected asylum seekers.
Lawmakers voted 389–206, with 32 abstentions, to move forward with negotiations on the proposal, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The vote allows EU countries to begin discussions on creating so-called “return hubs” in third countries where migrants denied asylum could be transferred.
Under the framework, individual nations or small coalitions of countries may negotiate agreements with non-EU states to host these facilities. Several countries, including Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark, have already entered talks with governments, primarily in Africa, to establish such sites.
The measure represents a significant development in European migration policy, with supporters arguing it will strengthen enforcement mechanisms and improve the efficiency of deportations.
Charlie Weimers, a member of the European Parliament from the Sweden Democrats, said in a statement cited in reporting that “There is a new consensus in Europe. The era of deportations has begun.”
According to Euronews, the proposal also includes provisions to extend detention periods for migrants facing removal to as long as two years and to impose long-term or potentially indefinite bans on re-entry into the EU.
The legislation would apply broadly, including to families with children, while excluding unaccompanied minors from the provisions.
Negotiations between the European Parliament and member states are expected to finalize the details of the policy. Reports indicate that both sides are largely aligned, suggesting the process may proceed without significant revisions.
The vote follows years of debate across Europe over migration policy and enforcement, as governments have faced increasing pressure to address irregular migration and asylum processing challenges.
A social media post highlighting the vote and its implications was shared by Mario Nawfal following the parliamentary decision.
The final outcome of the negotiations will determine how the return hub system is implemented across the 27-member bloc.