Europe is
waking up to a new consensus: illegal migrants will be returned
26 March
2026
https://ecrgroup.eu/article/europe_is_waking_up_to_a_new_consensus_illegal_migrants_will_be_returned
Weimers:
“The era of deportations has begun.”
The
European Parliament has strongly endorsed a stricter EU return system.
Negotiations with the Council and the Commission on the new Return Regulation
will begin this afternoon. The vote marks a clear political shift towards a
more effective and credible migration policy focused on enforcement and
results. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group welcomed the
outcome as a decisive step towards restoring control over illegal migration and
ensuring that return decisions are no longer ignored, but implemented.
Speaking
after the vote, ECR Shadow Rapporteur Charlie Weimers said:
“Today’s
vote confirms a growing and stable majority in the European Parliament for more
effective returns. Only one in five migrants ordered to leave actually do so.
This is about restoring credibility. A functioning migration system must ensure
that those who have no legal right to stay are effectively returned.
“The
adopted position is closely aligned with the Council’s general approach,
underlining a growing institutional consensus on the direction of EU migration
policy.
“The
outcome reflects a broad convergence in Parliament impose tougher sanctions on
those who refuse to comply and reinforcing the external dimension of our
migration policy. That means linking return cooperation more effectively to EU
tools such as visa policy, and making full use of instruments like return hubs
in third countries. These are essential if we are serious about delivering
results.”
Despite
pre-vote speculation about a narrow outcome, the final result demonstrated a
clear and solid majority in favour of strengthening return procedures, despite
opposition from parts of the left.
“This is
a clear success for the ECR line. A stable majority has formed around
practical, enforceable migration policies, while the centre-left and far left
continue to defend approaches that have failed to deliver,” Weimers said.
The new
Regulation replaces the outdated 2008 Return Directive, which has consistently
underperformed, with only around 20 per cent of return decisions effectively
enforced. The new framework introduces harmonised procedures, a European return
order, and mutual recognition of return decisions, allowing decisions taken in
one Member State to be enforced across the Union.
It also
strengthens the tools available to national authorities, including tougher
sanctions for non-compliance, such as lifetime entry bans and extended
detention of up to 24 months. It reinforces obligations on individuals to
cooperate with return procedures and introduces stronger measures to prevent
absconding. The Regulation further expands the scope for addressing security
risks, including the possibility of prolonged detention, and enhances
investigative powers.
For the
ECR Group, this vote confirms a broader political trend: a shift towards
pragmatic, results-oriented policies prioritising enforcement, security, and
public trust.
The vote
passed with 389 votes
in favour, 206 against, and 32 abstentions.
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