He European Parliament gave the green light this Thursday to the new Return Regulationsa rule that toughens the immigration policy of the European Union and opens the door to creating the so-called “migrant return centers in third countries”. This will allow European Union (EU) countries to deport people without papers and without the possibility of being returned to their country of origin and take them to a country other than the one from which they come, considered ‘safe’. This is the case of what Italy tried to do in Albania, which now wants to become law at the European level.
The issue of deportations to third countries, as it is the most sensitive part on which the Twenty-seven did not agree, was left to be developed in the Migration and Asylum Pact, approved in 2024 and which will come into force this June. Thus, the text reinforces the ability of Member States to accelerate deportations. Its main novelty is that it will allow migrants to be transferred to centers located outside the EU, as long as there is a prior agreement with the receiving country and the non-refoulement principle.
The common front of right-wing and far-right parties made possible the approval with 389 votes in favor, 206 against y 32 abstentions. Received support from European People’s Party (EPP) and right-wing and far-right groups European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Patriots for Europe (PfE) y Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN). The result shows the breaking of the so-called ‘cordon’ to the extreme right, which gives rise to a harsher turn in the European immigration debate.
The Italian model
The measure follows in the wake of the plan promoted by Italia in Albania during 2024although that precedent was later stopped by Italian justice. Now, the European Parliament incorporates this formula into the community legislative framework with the intention of making returns more effective.
The regulation also requires migrants to “actively cooperate” in their return process. Otherwise, it contemplates sanctions that can range from the withdrawal of benefits or work permits to criminal measures. In addition, it expands the cases of detention due to risk of flight or for security reasons.
The standard provides for a period of internment from up to 12 monthsextendable others 12 if there is a lack of cooperation or delays in documentation. In cases considered to be a risk to public or national security, expulsion will be prioritized and long-term entry bans may be imposed.
Victory for the right
For conservative sectors, the approval of the text represents a long-awaited political victory. The MEP from VOX, Jorge Buxadéassured that the European Parliament has put forward “one of the most forceful texts in the history of the European Union on immigration” and referred to the deportation plan as “a successful first step for remigration.” In addition, he took pride in the leadership of his group: “All this thanks to the leadership of VOX,” along with the other parties in his group in the chamber.
Along the same lines, the Swedish MEP Charlie Weimer (ECR) argued that the EU needs to recover “the credibility” of its return system since, as he recalled, only one in five migrants who are ordered to leave European territory ends up doing so effectively.
A group of civil rights activists gather to protest after the arrival at the port of Shengjin, in Albania, of the first group of migrants intercepted in Italian waters / ADNAN BECI / AFP
Criticism for the twist
The European Commissioner for the Interior, Magnus Brunneralso celebrated the progress with words very similar to those of the far-right leaders. In his opinion, the effective returns They are an essential piece to build a “credible” immigration system and bring the EU closer to having new management tools.
On the other hand, the left and the social democrats harshly attacked the agreement. The vice president of the group Socialists and Democrats, Ana Catarina Mendesdenounced that the PPE has broken the “sanitary cordon” to approach positions of the extreme right.
After approval in the European Parliament, it will be the turn of the trilogy between European Commission, EU Council y European Parliament. He PPE He has said that he expects quick conversations due to the closeness between the endorsed text and the original proposal of the Brussels executive.
The political battle, however, is far from over. The regulation has passed, but it increases the fracture in the European Parliament over how far the EU can go in its immigration toughening.
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