EU’s proposal to speed up deportations sparks controversy and legal concerns

The European Union has unveiled a controversial proposal, including a continent-wide deportation order, aimed at accelerating deportations of rejected asylum seekers and other undocumented migrants.
The plan, formally announced by the European Commission on Wednesday (11 March), seeks to standardize deportation processes across all EU member states, enabling cross-border enforcement of deportation orders. A key feature of the proposal is the creation of “return hubs,” detention centers located in non-EU countries, where migrants awaiting deportation would be held temporarily before being sent back to their home countries. This initiative appears to be inspired by UK’s abandoned Rwanda deportation scheme and Italy’s controversial policy of detaining migrants in an offshore facility in Albania, both of which have faced legal hurdles.
The EU migration plan responds to mounting political pressure, particularly from far-right parties, to tighten immigration controls. Only 20% of deportation orders in the EU are currently enforced, prompting calls for reform from officials like Austrian commissioner Magnus Brunner, who emphasized the need for a coordinated system. The proposal also includes a European deportation order, making it easier for one EU country to enforce deportation decisions made by another.
However, the proposal has sparked widespread opposition from human rights groups, who argue it undermines the right to asylum. Critics warn that the creation of return hubs could lead to longer detentions, increased human rights violations, and the forced return of migrants to unsafe countries. Legal challenges are expected, as critics argue the plan may violate international refugee protections. With divisions among EU nations and significant pushback from human rights organizations, the future of the proposal remains uncertain as it moves through the legislative process.