EU Parliament passes Returns Regulation on deportation

The European Parliament has approved a major overhaul of the European Union's migration rules, granting authorities significantly expanded powers to detain and deport individuals who do not have the right to stay in the bloc. The legislation, known as the Returns Regulation, was passed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with 418 votes in favor and 218 against.

The new law is designed to address low deportation rates, with officials noting that less than 30 percent of people ordered to leave the EU are actually returned. It introduces a standardized European Return Order, which will be mutually recognized and enforced across all member states, preventing individuals from circumventing deportation decisions by moving to another EU country.

A central and controversial element of the regulation is the authorization for member states to establish "return hubs" in non-EU countries. Under this system, migrants who have received final return orders could be transferred to facilities outside the bloc while awaiting deportation. Agreements for such hubs must comply with international law and human rights obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement. Several countries, including...