EU Parliament approves migration law allowing offshore detention centers and expanded deportations

The EU Parliament has approved a strict new migration law, reflecting rising anti-immigration sentiment. The law allows for offshore detention centers, increases maximum detention time to two years, and speeds up deportations. Critics, including the UN, warn it weakens asylum safeguards. The European Commission is also engaging with the Taliban to discuss deporting Afghan nationals, a move opposed by Belgium.

EU migration law approval

• ▪The law passed with 418 votes in favor, 218 against, and 30 abstentions
• ▪The law was supported by a coalition of centre-right, right-wing, and far-right political groups
• ▪The European Parliament approved a major overhaul of the EU's migration policy on June 17, 2026
• ▪The legislation requires final formal approval from the 27 EU member governments before it becomes law

Rising anti-immigration sentiment in Europe

• ▪The legislation marks a significant hardening of EU migration policy that began after the influx of over a million migrants in 2015-16
• ▪The new policy reflects a rise in anti-immigration sentiment across the EU, which has increased support for far-right parties

Offshore detention centers

• ▪The new law permits EU member states to establish deportation centers, called "return hubs," in non-EU countries
• ▪Families with children can be transferred to the hubs, while only unaccompanied minors are exempt
• ▪These hubs can serve as transit facilities or locations for extended stays, potentially without a time limit

Expanded deportation procedures

• ▪Entry bans for deported individuals will rise from five to ten years, with lifetime bans possible for security risks
• ▪The maximum legal detention period for migrants awaiting deportation will be increased from six months to two years
• ▪The law ends the automatic suspension of deportations during legal appeals, leaving the decision to courts on a case-by-case basis
• ▪The "Return Regulation" is designed to make deportations more efficient through faster procedures

Human rights concerns for asylum seekers

• ▪The law includes a provision to search the residences of irregular migrants, which NGOs compare to raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• ▪UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk warned the law weakens safeguards for asylum seekers and risks expanding detention
• ▪The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group stated the regulation could normalize "legally questionable practices."

Taliban engagement on Afghan deportations

• ▪Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated he does not approve of the choice to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels
• ▪The European Commission invited Taliban officials to Brussels to discuss the deportation of Afghan nationals who pose a security risk
• ▪The meeting, co-hosted by Sweden, is described as technical and not a recognition of Taliban rule