The European Commission has proposed a new regulation aimed at tightening the bloc’s return procedures for migrants who reside illegally in the EU, seeking to harmonize enforcement across member-states and limit the ability of individuals to evade deportation by moving between countries.
The proposed regulation introduces a European Return Order, which would be recognized and enforced by all EU countries.
The proposal states that the aim is to ensure that when someone is ordered to leave the European Union, they will do so – either forcibly or voluntarily, where circumstances permit – while respecting fundamental rights.
Key provisions include the extension of detention for undocumented migrants from 18 to 24 months.
That limit resets to zero if the individual is transferred to another member-state.
The regulation would also double the current five-year entry ban for those found residing illegally to 10 years.
Additionally, the proposal standardizes rights and obligations – such as access to benefits – for third-country nationals across all member-states. Migrants may also be returned to third countries with which return agreements exist, even temporarily, pending further deportation to countries of origin.
Migration Minister Makis Voridis, who is set to present the proposal to the Greek Parliament’s relevant committee on Thursday, said Greece broadly supports the changes.
“We agree with a stricter framework that will close the loopholes allowing third-country nationals to remain in Europe illegally and will serve as a deterrent,” he told Kathimerini.
However, he voiced reservations about return hubs outside EU territory.
“The issue of limiting returnees may be resolved in other ways,” he added.
The current EU return policy is based on a 2008 directive.
According to the Commission, only around 20% of those ordered to leave the EU actually do so.
The preamble notes that the existing directive leaves significant room for national legislation and interpretation by domestic courts.
The proposed return regulation is part of the EU’s broader migration strategy, introduced under the New Pact on Migration and Asylum adopted last year.
Via eKathimerini