EU poised to approve migrant ‘return hubs’
EU member states are expected on Monday to endorse a major tightening of migration policy, including the creation of migrant “return hubs” outside the bloc for people whose asylum applications are rejected.
Interior ministers meeting in Brussels will vote on measures that also include tougher penalties for migrants who refuse to leave EU territory and the option to return people to countries deemed “safe,” even if they are not their countries of origin.
The push comes despite a roughly 20% drop in irregular entries so far in 2025. Governments, wary of far-right electoral gains, are seeking to show a firmer stance on migration following the adoption of a landmark EU migration pact that takes effect in June.
EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner said the bloc must “speed up” to reassure citizens it has control over the situation.
Rights groups warned the new measures would push migrants into greater danger and “legal limbo.” France has raised legal concerns, while Spain doubts the effectiveness of “return hubs” after past failures. Still, Denmark — currently chairing the EU — has driven momentum, with broad political backing in the European Parliament from centre-right and far-right lawmakers.
If approved Monday, negotiations with the Parliament would begin immediately.
Member states will also face difficult talks over relocating at least 30,000 asylum seekers under new solidarity rules. Countries can accept arrivals or pay €20,000 per person to frontline states such as Greece and Italy. But with political pressure rising across Europe, few ministers are eager to publicly commit to higher intake numbers.
The EU aims to finalize resettlement decisions by year’s end.
