politics
March 28, 2026
EU Parliament Endorses Initiative to Create ‘Return Hubs’ for Illegal Migrants
European legislators have endorsed the continuation of the work on a controversial proposal to tighten the bloc’s deportation rules.

TL;DR
- EU lawmakers have endorsed opening talks on a controversial legal framework for expelling illegal migrants.
- The framework includes establishing 'return hubs' in third countries to hold migrants awaiting deportation.
- Human rights groups and some political forces oppose the plan, calling it a 'legal black hole'.
- A plenary vote saw 389 MEPs in favor of proceeding with the proposal, with 206 against.
- Amnesty International criticized the reform for lacking adequate scrutiny and potentially trapping people in precarious situations.
- The proposed Return Regulation aims to replace the 2008 Return Directive, which prioritized voluntary return.
- Several EU member states urged the European Commission to fund these external 'return hubs' as an 'innovative solution'.
Continue reading the original article