The European Parliament approved on Wednesday the so-called Return Directive, a reform aimed at significantly increasing the deportations of illegal immigrants within the European Union.
The initiative received 418 votes in favor and 218 against, reflecting the growing consensus within the bloc regarding the need to strengthen migration controls and respond to the rise of irregular immigration affecting numerous European countries.
After the vote, several MEPs celebrated the decision with chants of “send them back” inside the parliamentary chamber.
The regulation still needs to be approved by the Council of the European Union to come fully into force.
The goal: increase deportations that currently barely reach 20%
One of the main arguments behind the reform is that the current system is inefficient.
According to data from European authorities, only about 20% of immigrants whose asylum applications are rejected and receive a deportation order are actually deported.
The new regulation aims to correct this situation through a common framework that allows member states to execute return orders more quickly and effectively.
Mandatory cooperation and sanctions for those who refuse to cooperate
Among the most relevant changes is the obligation for individuals subject to a deportation order to actively cooperate with immigration authorities.
This includes providing documentation, personal information, and being permanently available for the corresponding administrative procedures.
Refusal to cooperate may result in sanctions and even the detention of the immigrant, as established by the approved text.
Detention may extend up to 30 months
The reform also includes a significant extension of the maximum detention periods.
Under the new rules, authorities may detain immigrants subject to expulsion procedures for up to 30 months, with the aim of ensuring that deportations can be carried out effectively.
Proponents of the measure argue that the current timeframes are insufficient to complete the necessary procedures when there are difficulties in identifying immigrants or coordinating their return with third countries.
Deportation orders will be valid throughout the European Union
Another central point is the mutual recognition of expulsion orders.
A deportation order issued by one member state can be recognized and enforced more easily by the other countries of the European Union.
The measure aims to prevent illegal immigrants from evading procedures simply by moving from one European country to another once they receive the exit order.
Brussels will establish return centers outside the European Union
The new regulation will also allow for the creation of so-called “return hubs” or return centers in third countries.
These centers will operate through agreements with non-EU countries and will be intended to temporarily house immigrants subject to deportation while their definitive return is arranged.
Supporters of the initiative argue that this tool will provide greater flexibility to European governments and allow for faster expulsion processes.
More tools to expel illegal immigrants and entry bans of up to 10 years
The reform also incorporates faster procedures for executing forced deportations, especially in cases of non-compliance or when there are security risks.
Immigration authorities will have new powers for investigation, searches, and evidence collection, while immigrants considered a threat may face entry bans of up to ten years.
The approval of the Return Directive represents one of the most decisive moves by the European Union in migration matters in recent years and reflects the growing tightening of border control policies pushed by numerous governments across the continent.
