The European Parliament has approved, by a majority vote, a new and unprecedented package of measures for the return of migrants who are residing illegally in European Union member states.
The new legislation significantly accelerates and tightens deportation procedures. It grants broad powers to security authorities to conduct raids on homes and imposes severe penalties on migrants, including travel bans of up to 20 years.
Under the new law, the maximum period of migrant detention will increase from 18 months to 30 months. If a migrant moves from one European country to another, the detention period may be reset rather than credited for time already served, potentially allowing for prolonged or even indefinite detention.
The legislation also gives security forces expanded authority to search migrants’ homes, the homes of their relatives, and even shelters operated by humanitarian organizations. In addition, it abolishes the previous provision that allowed migrants to remain on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. As a result, deportation orders must now be issued immediately, and all EU member states will be required to recognize and enforce one another’s deportation decisions without conducting a new review.
Another major change is that European countries will be authorized to establish external processing or detention camps outside the EU. Migrants—including families and children—may be transferred to third countries or to these facilities if they cannot be returned to their countries of origin. Furthermore, migrants who receive deportation orders or who fail to cooperate with voluntary return procedures may be banned from re-entering the European Union for 10 to 20 years.
To enforce these measures, the EU plans to use visas, trade, and international cooperation as leverage to pressure non-EU countries into accepting the return of their nationals. The role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will also be expanded in carrying out return operations.
The legislation was approved by the European Parliament on June 17 by 418 votes in favor, 218 against, and 30 abstentions. It represents a fundamental overhaul of the EU’s migration system and replaces the 2008 Return Directive. These measures are even stricter than those proposed by the European Commission for 2025 and reflect the EU’s new policy of strengthening border controls and tightening migration enforcement.
The law now awaits final approval by the Council of the European Union. Once it is published in the EU’s Official Journal, most of its provisions will take effect immediately, while the remaining measures will be implemented after a 12-month transition period.
Karzan Haidar