The European Parliament has adopted a new Return Regulation aimed at making it significantly easier to deport individuals who lack legal rights to reside in the Union. The decision is described by advocates as a historic crossroads for European migration policy, and includes, among other things, tightened rules for returns, longer possibilities for detention, and the establishment of return centers outside the EU.

After years of criticism that deportation decisions are too seldom enforced, the European Parliament has now given its final approval to a comprehensive reform of the EU’s return policy. The new regulation replaces the previous framework from 2008 and is intended to strengthen Member States’ ability to enforce decisions to deport third-country nationals who do not have the right to remain in the Union.

The decision is welcomed by the conservative ECR group, which has been one of the driving forces behind the reform.

– Reason has prevailed. We delivered, said Sweden Democrat MEP Charlie Weimers, who has served as the ECR group’s shadow rapporteur in the negotiations.

Several new tools to enforce deportations

The new regulation contains a series of changes aimed at increasing the number of deportations carried out. Among other things, it introduces closer cooperation between Member States, expanded possibilities for detaining individuals, and mutual recognition of deportation decisions within the EU.

From 2027, a deportation decision made in one Member State will also be able to be recognized and enforced in the other Member States. The idea is to prevent people who have been denied in one country from staying by moving to another EU country.

The regulation also tightens the requirement that those to be deported must actively cooperate in the process. At the same time, Member States’ ability to handle individuals who are considered security risks or are at risk of absconding from authorities is strengthened.

Return centers outside the EU

One of the most debated parts of the reform is the option to establish so-called return centers in third countries, outside EU territory.

– It is now possible to build large return centers in third countries. We can introduce unlimited entry bans not only for serious criminals but also for people who commit minor crimes, and we can detain criminals as long as necessary, said Weimers after the vote.

Proponents argue that these centers can make the return process more effective and reduce incentives for illegal migration to Europe.

Complaints from the left

The proposal has at the same time faced criticism from leftist parties and left-leaning human rights organizations. Critics claim that longer detention periods and return centers outside the EU may pose risks to legal certainty and human rights.

In his speech, Weimers delivered sharp criticism of the opponents of the reform.

– The far left never wanted a real return regulation. They wanted endless appeals and detention that is never used. They wanted to ban return centers. They opposed unlimited entry bans for terrorists and criminals. In short, they fought to preserve a dysfunctional and paralyzed system that hardly deports anyone at all, he said.

Shift in Europe’s migration policy

The background to the reform is that only around a quarter of deportation decisions made within the EU are actually carried out. Critics of the previous framework have long argued that the system was ineffective and contributed to people without residency rights being able to remain in the Union for a long time. Sweden is one of the countries hardest hit by this.

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The new regulation is therefore seen by its supporters as a clear break with previous policies and as a sign that new majorities are emerging in Europe on migration issues.

– Illegal migrants must understand that Europe will never be their home, Weimers said after the historic vote.

For the ECR group, the decision marks the start of a new era where the focus shifts from symbolic measures to a framework more clearly aimed at ensuring deportation decisions are actually enforced in practice.