EU Proposes Legal Framework for Migrant Detention Centers Outside Europe

The European Commission's plan aims to streamline deportations and address migration concerns as political pressures mount across member states.

The European Commission has introduced a proposal allowing EU member states to establish offshore 'return hubs' for failed asylum seekers awaiting deportation.
The plan seeks to address low deportation rates, with only 20% of ordered deportations carried out in 2023, and to counter growing anti-migrant sentiment in Europe.
Return hubs would only be established in non-EU countries that meet human rights standards, with families and unaccompanied minors exempt from transfer to these centers.
The proposal includes expanded detention powers, EU-wide recognition of deportation orders, and stricter penalties for individuals classified as security risks or non-cooperative migrants.
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, which warn of potential human rights violations, and faces opposition from some left-leaning European Parliament members.