The European Parliament has approved a major overhaul of the European Union’s return policy for illegal migrants, backing legislation designed to accelerate deportations, increase detention periods, and improve cooperation between member states.
The measure passed on Wednesday by 418 votes to 218, with 30 abstentions, following support from lawmakers in the European People’s Party, the European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, and Europe of Sovereign Nations groups. Left-wing and Green lawmakers opposed the legislation, arguing it risked undermining migrant protections and fundamental rights.
Under the new framework, deportation orders issued by one EU member state will be recognized across the bloc through the creation of a European Return Order. Supporters say the change will prevent migrants who have been denied the right to remain from moving to another member state to avoid removal.
The legislation also introduces a legal obligation for migrants facing deportation to cooperate with authorities. Those deemed likely to abscond, refuse cooperation, or present security concerns may be detained while removal procedures are carried out. Administrative detention periods will be extended to a maximum of 24 months, with the possibility of a further six-month extension in certain circumstances.
National authorities will be granted wider powers to prepare deportations, including the ability to carry out searches of residences, personal belongings, and electronic devices subject to judicial or administrative authorization.
The new rules also allow member states to establish agreements with non-EU countries to host so-called “return hubs,” where migrants subject to removal orders could be transferred before being returned to their countries of origin. Countries like Italy had already agreed such an arrangement with Albania; the move now becomes officially sanctioned by the European Union, subject to compliance with international law.
Hungarian MEP András László welcomed the vote but said the real test would be whether governments follow through. “Adopting new rules isn’t enough. European citizens have had enough. The EU and national governments must now deliver on removing illegal immigrants from the EU!” he wrote.
Polish MEP Anna Bryłka said the reforms were necessary because the existing system had failed to enforce deportation decisions. “These changes are crucial because currently, only about 20 percent of illegal migrants who have been denied the right to stay in the EU actually leave its territory,” she said.
Jordan Bardella, the president of France’s National Rally and an MEP, said the vote marked a break with years of failed migration policy. “The return regulation has been adopted,” he wrote. “After years of denial, the European Union is finally equipping itself with instruments commensurate with the stakes to move beyond migratory laxity.”
Bardella credited the result to sustained pressure from his party’s MEPs. “This is a first step in the right direction, achieved thanks to the constant mobilization of the National Rally deputies,” he said. “We will continue the fight by organizing a referendum in 2027 to fully regain control of our migration policy.”
The Sweden Democrats also hailed the result in stark terms, writing: “The age of Willkommenskultur is over, the era of mass deportations has begun.”
Following the announcement of the result, nationalist lawmakers in the chamber celebrated by chanting “Send them back.”
Dutch MEP Malik Azmani, who served as rapporteur for the legislation, said the EU had finally adopted effective return measures after nearly two decades of political deadlock.
The legislation must now receive formal approval from the Council of the European Union before entering into force. While some provisions, including those relating to return hubs, will take effect immediately, most of the new rules will become applicable 12 months after the law is formally introduced.
