The European Parliament approved a sweeping new law to accelerate the deportation of irregular migrants, authorizing the creation of detention centers outside EU borders and extending legal detention to up to two years. The legislation permits returns to third countries-even those unrelated to a migrant’s origin-if bilateral agreements exist, raising concerns over cooperation with non-democratic entities like the Taliban.
The vote passed 389 to 206, with 32 abstentions. Lawmakers also removed the automatic suspension of deportations during appeals, granting courts case-by-case discretion. A permanent, unlimited entry ban is now mandated for those deemed security risks-surpassing the 20-year limit proposed by member states.
While the Parliament rejected invasive home raids akin to U.S. ICE operations, it agreed to include families with children in deportations, excluding only unaccompanied minors.
Critics, including Green and Socialist MEPs, condemned the bill as a betrayal of EU human rights values. Yet centrist and center-right factions, including the EPP and Renew Europe, aligned with far-right groups to secure passage.
Negotiations with EU member states are expected to conclude swiftly, with minimal changes anticipated.