The regulation targets all third-country nationals who are staying in the bloc illegally
The European Parliament is expected to vote this month on a proposal streamlining the deportation of migrants who are staying in the bloc illegally, including rejected asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and unauthorized entrants.
The ‘Return Regulation’ amendment envisions the creation of detention centers outside the EU where rejected asylum seekers would be sent before being returned to their country of origin. The law would allow EU states to transfer migrants to these centers under bilateral agreements.
The regulation would also allow private homes to be searched for individuals with deportation orders, extend detention for migrants awaiting removal up to 24 months, and make deportation orders from any member state automatically enforceable across the bloc.
The European Parliament’s civil liberties committee (LIBE) adopted the current version of the legislation on Monday. The proposal now awaits a final vote in the European Parliament later this month, before negotiations with member states on the final text. Media reports citing EU officials say the law could be adopted by autumn.
The legislation has strong support among center-right and right-wing groups and member states that advocate for stricter border controls. However, it has drawn criticism from human rights groups, legal experts, and left-leaning politicians, who warn it lacks an independent monitoring mechanism and could spur controversial enforcement raids similar to recent US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions that have sparked protests. Some warn it would also shift human rights responsibilities to states with weaker legal systems.
The EU has faced a migration crisis since at least 2015, driven by conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Ukraine. According to Eurostat, as of January 1, 2025, an estimated 46.7 million non-EU citizens lived in the bloc, around 10.4% of the population. Most member states have tightened border controls and migration policies in recent years.
The Ukraine conflict has intensified migration pressures. As of January 31, 2026, 4.38 million people fleeing Ukraine were living in the EU under temporary protection. Support for Ukrainian migrants has gradually waned since 2022, and major host countries – including Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland – have been actively limiting their social benefits, citing budget and housing strains.
