Key facts
- The European Union has approved a new migration overhaul package.
- The overhaul focuses on increasing deportations and establishing detention centers outside the EU.
- EU capitals are poised to back new rules for migrant returns.
- Plans include "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers in third countries.
- Potential locations for these hubs include Africa or Asia.
- Greece has passed legislation to speed up migrant returns.
- The Greek law allows for transfer to third countries once bilateral agreements are finalized.
- Critics have likened the policies to those of the Trump administration.
- Europe is reportedly entering an 'era of deportations'.
The European Union is entering what is being described as an "era of deportations" following the approval of a new migration overhaul package. This significant shift in policy prioritizes increasing the speed and volume of migrant deportations across the continent. A key component of the overhaul involves establishing "return hubs" and detention centers located outside the EU's borders, with potential locations mentioned including Africa or Asia. Several EU member states are actively exploring arrangements for these offshore processing and detention facilities, aiming to relocate failed asylum seekers.
Greece has already taken legislative action, with its parliament approving a law designed to expedite the deportation of rejected asylum seekers. This new Greek legislation allows for the transfer of individuals to third countries once bilateral agreements for such "return hubs" are finalized. While specific details regarding the exact policies, the full list of countries involved, and the overall scale of these planned deportations are not yet fully available, the direction of travel is clear. The EU's move has drawn criticism, with some likening the policies to those implemented by the Trump administration.