EU vows stricter migration rules, faster deportations?

 

EU vows stricter migration rules, faster deportations?

Yes, the European Union has recently moved to implement a major overhaul of its migration and asylum system, specifically vowing to enforce stricter rules and faster deportations.

 

The core of this strategy, driven by the 2024 Pact on Migration and Asylum and subsequent legislative updates in late 2025 and early 2026, includes several key pillars:

1. Faster Asylum Processing & Rejections

Safe Country Lists: The EU has established a unified list of "safe countries of origin"—including Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia—to fast-track the rejection of claims from these nationals.

Third Country Rule: New rules allow member states to reject asylum seekers who traveled through a "safe third country" where they could have sought protection.

 

2. Streamlined and More Punitive Deportations

"Return Hubs": A major and controversial shift involves creating detention centers in non-EU countries where rejected asylum seekers can be sent while awaiting deportation.

European Return Order: To prevent "absconding," the EU is introducing a standard digital return order shared across the Schengen Information System, allowing any member state to enforce a deportation order issued by another.

Increased Penalties: The reforms include harsher penalties for those who refuse to cooperate with deportation, such as longer detention periods and restricted access to benefits.

 

3. Digital Border Overhaul

Entry/Exit System (EES): Replacing manual passport stamps with biometrics (fingerprints and facial images), this system started gradual implementation in late 2025 to better track overstayers.

ETIAS: Starting in late 2026, travelers from 59 visa-exempt countries will require a digital travel authorization for pre-screening.

 

4. Implementation Timeline

While these laws are being finalized, the full implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact and the new return rules is largely set for June 2026. However, some countries like Denmark and Italy are already testing "innovative" measures, such as offshore processing, ahead of the official start.

Human Rights Concerns: These measures have faced sharp criticism from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which argue the policies erode legal safeguards and may violate international law