EU chief says bloc to propose new law for migrant returns

EU chief says bloc to propose new law for migrant returns
Archive
Tuesday 15 October 2024 - 11:50

The European Commission will propose new legislation for increasing deportations of irregular migrants, commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday in a letter to the bloc.

“The Commission will present a new proposal for legislation that would define clear obligations of cooperation for the returnee, and effectively streamline the process of returns,” she wrote in response to demands from several EU member states.

“But we will need a new legal framework to step up our capacity to act,” added von der Leyen in the letter sent to the EU member nations ahead of a European summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, part of which will be dedicated to migration.

She said the bloc needed “to build a level of harmonisation and trust” to facilitate the deportation of irregular migrants so that each member country recognises the decisions taken by the others.

That would ensure that “migrants who have a return decision against them in one country cannot exploit cracks in the system to avoid return elsewhere”.

Roughly 20 percent of expulsion orders given to irregular migrants are enforced, von der Leyen said, promising better cooperation with third-party countries in receiving expelled migrants, in part through a toughened stance on visa policy.

“Visa policy alignment has proven to be an important tool to manage irregular movements towards the EU,” said the EU chief.

add your comment

Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.

Politics
Who said what on Morocco's Sahara at the UN General Assembly
Tuesday 10 November 2026 - 21:27

Who said what on Morocco's Sahara at the UN General Assembly

Politics
UNGA: Ambassador Hilale puts Algeria at center of Sahara dispute in six-question address
Tuesday 10 November 2026 - 17:00

UNGA: Ambassador Hilale puts Algeria at center of Sahara dispute in six-question address

Economy
Moroccan government proposes higher taxes on fuel, cement and telecom companies
Tuesday 10 November 2026 - 16:10

Moroccan government proposes higher taxes on fuel, cement and telecom companies

Politics
Russia defends vote against UN resolution on Sahara before UNGA
Tuesday 10 November 2026 - 16:10

Russia defends vote against UN resolution on Sahara before UNGA